Healthy Living 101

[Vegas69]

Vitamin D

I found this very interesting. I'm currently working with a Doctor and his Wife. We have discussed health and nutriton many times throughout our relationship, naturally. He said, that a huge majority (Over 70%) have a Vitamin D deficiency. Now, we live in the desert and enjoy 300 days of blue skies and sunshine. It doesn't make much sense at first.

I got to thinking about it and humans started out life with no clothes, we used to be forced into manual labor, OUTSIDE. Now, a majority of the public spends most of their time indoors pushing buttons. I spend more time outdoors than average but he said it wasn't enough. He said, unless you are spending 20-30 minutes MID day outside with your shirt off, you are not getting enough vitamin D. He said the atmospher eats up the UV rays early and late in the days that help create vitamin D in your body.

I've been impressed with his ideals on health so I sent Kelli to him to get a physical and blood test. Sure enough, her blood test came back with her being deficient in vitamin D. She's very light skinned but, the darker you skin is, the harder it is to absorb the sun and make vitamin D.

Vitamin D is just as crucial as calcium to having strong bones. It also helps with memory and concentration. Has digestive duties and the list goes on.

I asked him if I should get blood tested and he said not to bother. Just start taking a Vitamin D supplement of 5000mg a day.

I plan to get re blood tested in a few months and will make sure Vitamin D is part of the test after I have supplemented.

[Tony_SS]

Tony, margerine can be full of trans fats due to the hydrogenation that turns the vegetable oil into a solid. It changes the molecules. That's how trans fats are made. My Harvard book said the same thing.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margarine

I'm not worried about the weight gain. I struggle keeping the weight on at this point. Now at over 6 months of consistency in my diet and excercise, my metabolism is off the charts. My pallet has changed. I grew up in Iowa so naturally, the midwestern diet was in my blood. Today, I really prefer Salmon and a really good salad(7-10 veggies) over a steak and baked potato. Polish dinner off with a papaya and some blueberries. :D

That being said, I still crave a hamburger or steak. With my B12 deficiency, it's important for a balanced diet anyway. Since B12 is stored for 2-5 years in the liver, I can't blame my recent nutrition since I've always ate plenty of red meat.

I know it has transfats, I'm saying that is what causes the heart disease, not butter.

As for B12, find a farm where you can buy free range organic eggs.. they'll have a hugh golden yolk vs the tiny yellow yolks for store bought eggs... I love me some eggs.. best food ever.

[Tony_SS]

Vitamin D

I found this very interesting. I'm currently working with a Doctor and his Wife. We have discussed health and nutriton many times throughout our relationship, naturally. He said, that a huge majority (Over 70%) have a Vitamin D deficiency. Now, we live in the desert and enjoy 300 days of blue skies and sunshine. It doesn't make much sense at first.

I got to thinking about it and humans started out life with no clothes, we used to be forced into manual labor, OUTSIDE. Now, a majority of the public spends most of their time indoors pushing buttons. I spend more time outdoors than average but he said it wasn't enough. He said, unless you are spending 20-30 minutes MID day outside with your shirt off, you are not getting enough vitamin D. He said the atmospher eats up the UV rays early and late in the days that help create vitamin D in your body.

I've been impressed with his ideals on health so I sent Kelli to him to get a physical and blood test. Sure enough, her blood test came back with her being deficient in vitamin D. She's very light skinned but, the darker you skin is, the harder it is to absorb the sun and make vitamin D.

Vitamin D is just as crucial as calcium to having strong bones. It also helps with memory and concentration. Has digestive duties and the list goes on.

I asked him if I should get blood tested and he said not to bother. Just start taking a Vitamin D supplement of 5000mg a day.

I plan to get re blood tested in a few months and will make sure Vitamin D is part of the test after I have supplemented.

I have read that Vit D supplements on the market aren't good at all. The best way to get it is through a cod liver oil. I take these in capsule form:

http://www.greenpasture.org/public/Products/ButterCodLiverBlend/index.cfm

[Denvervet]

I have read that Vit D supplements on the market aren't good at all. The best way to get it is through a cod liver oil. I take these in capsule form:

http://www.greenpasture.org/public/Products/ButterCodLiverBlend/index.cfm

I don't find any information to substantiate that claim. Not trying to dissuade using cod liver oil but to encourage taking a vitamin D3 supplement of some sort.

[Tony_SS]

I don't find any information to substantiate that claim. Not trying to dissuade using cod liver oil but to encourage taking a vitamin D3 supplement of some sort.

Here's a link to a blog I read it on..
http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/flu-is-vitamin-d-deficiency-disease/

[Denvervet]

Here's a link to a blog I read it on..
http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/flu-is-vitamin-d-deficiency-disease/
From groups with no horse in the race
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vitamin-d/NS_patient-vitamind/DSECTION=dosing
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18689390
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23314982

I understand skepticism..because I have it also.

[Vegas69]

"Learn to work harder on yourself than you do on your job" -Jim Rohn

While this philosophy may sound like pie in the sky to the casual onlooker, it's made a huge difference in the quality of my life. For the last 7 months I've spent 30-60 minutes everyday expanding my knowledge through books, magazines, CD's. Philosophy, Leadership, Health, Excercise, Nutrition, Attitude, and the list goes on.... I've employed new disciplines with a complete diet change and work out routine.

I'm in the best physical and mental condition of my life and people are noticing. The owner/broker of my company recently offered me a very good opportunity that came from the top to lead 4 more agents and increase my income substantially. He had 75 agents to pick from. In the same week, an outside company called and offered me a great opportunity to take on a bunch of new business. My team has taken notice and our cohesion has gone through the roof. They see my consistency, attitude, and work ethic and it's rubbing off and improving their production, attitude, and work ethic.

"You attract the things you have by the person you become" -Jim Rohn

If you want a better life, you must change through personal development. Every discipline effects the rest of your life. Every bad habit effects the rest of your life. New knowledge breeds confidence, new disciplines practiced everyday improve your attitude.

It doesn't happen overnight. It's really the compound effect at work. It's just like compound interest. At first you notice small improvements and depending on your hard your work at it, it won't be long until the results speak for themself.

"We must all suffer from one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The difference is discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons. " -Jim Rohn

[Vegas69]

One mile run tonight: 6:30 :lostmarbles:

[Stuart Adams]

Great Todd, I'm proud of you big boy. I've been working out for 7 years now, nothing crazy, every other day. It really makes a difference physically and even more mentally.:thumbsup:

[Vegas69]

Great Todd, I'm proud of you big boy. I've been working out for 7 years now, nothing crazy, every other day. It really makes a difference physically and even more mentally.:thumbsup:

Thanks buddy.:cheers: It's good to hear you are taking care of yourself.

The mental side of this thread hasn't been very popular since I started posting. The truth of the matter is that my new philospophy, disciplines, and attitude have made a bigger change in the quality of my life than getting in optimal physical condition. You can change the way you think through personal development. It's no different than getting in peak physical condition, it takes labor, consistency, and time but the payoff is monumental.

[sik68]

Nice job Todd! 6:30 is killin it!

I'm nursing a tight IT band right now (foam rolling an IT band looks like this --> :lmao: ), but hopefully I will come off this rest time ready to have another breakthrough myself.


As far as the mental side of things, I appreciate all of your commentary...it's reinforcing everything I am learning in my own 'quest'.

[Vegas69]

Steven, you should chime in on your ideals. Who, what, and how. For starters....:D

[hifi875]

6:30 is great todd!! even though your 5k times are good, 6:30 is a good barometer of how good of shape you have gotten your self back in to. Only a runner can understand how fast that is. Great job!

[hifi875]

the run group that i train with is going to do 1mi tt real soon. It will be interesting to see how fast i can do it. 6:30 is stout. I have ran a 6:50 in the last mile of a 7 mile run. 6:30 would satisfy me, thats for sure.

[sik68]

Steven, you should chime in on your ideals. Who, what, and how. For starters....:D

The best way I can explain my change is by describing a life-changing challenge that I am undertaking. Through it, it will show you how every day-to-day situation that used to bring out negative emotions, can be viewed with an equally compelling set of positive emotions. Just by changing your perspective, moments of frustration are equally viewed as moments of opportunity, moments of rushing/panic are equally viewed as moments to learn, moments of jealousy are equally viewed as moments of admiration.

It's really easy, but is a very conscious process. Simply, every sentence you utter, ONLY say it with positive phrasing. For example, a really easy one is, "I don't want to be late." Mentally, this is very different from saying the equivalent of "I want to be on time." Studying the two sentences, you can see how the second one opens up more opportunities for you mentally.

Another example is, "I don't want to do the dishes." For this, you could say, "I want to do the dishes tomorrow." Lo and behold, the next morning you are much more mentally accepting of the pile of dishes.

There's a million examples, but, essentially, pay attention to how you phrase sentences, and spin as many of them positively as possible. Chip away at it, and you will find yourself happier with yourself, people will like you more, and you will be more influential and empowered.

Cheers!
S

[Vegas69]

6:30 is great todd!! even though your 5k times are good, 6:30 is a good barometer of how good of shape you have gotten your self back in to. Only a runner can understand how fast that is. Great job!

Thanks man, it was tough but not terrible during the run. The cool down was brutal though. I have to admit the conditions were favorable. More slight downhills than uphills but the end was all up hill!

I still haven't fixed my nose so this was done on about 80% mouth breathing.:bang:

The best way I can explain my change is by describing a life-changing challenge that I am undertaking. Through it, it will show you how every day-to-day situation that used to bring out negative emotions, can be viewed with an equally compelling set of positive emotions. Just by changing your perspective, moments of frustration are equally viewed as moments of opportunity, moments of rushing/panic are equally viewed as moments to learn, moments of jealousy are equally viewed as moments of admiration.

It's really easy, but is a very conscious process. Simply, every sentence you utter, ONLY say it with positive phrasing. For example, a really easy one is, "I don't want to be late." Mentally, this is very different from saying the equivalent of "I want to be on time." Studying the two sentences, you can see how the second one opens up more opportunities for you mentally.

Another example is, "I don't want to do the dishes." For this, you could say, "I want to do the dishes tomorrow." Lo and behold, the next morning you are much more mentally accepting of the pile of dishes.

There's a million examples, but, essentially, pay attention to how you phrase sentences, and spin as many of them positively as possible. Chip away at it, and you will find yourself happier with yourself, people will like you more, and you will be more influential and empowered.

Cheers!
S

Attitude is comprised of how you feel about your past, your present, your future, yourself, the people around you, and how you handle challenges.

That's why I keep preaching that it takes time to change. You must change the way you think overtime. That is done through education, positive influences, associations, achieving goals, and disciplines.

What your doing is similar to affirmations. My mentor Jim Rohn says: Affirmation without action is the beginning of delusion.

Affirmations are great as long as you follow through with Action. Otherwise, it's simply a lie to yourself.

It's good to hear that you are improving your mind. :thumbsup:

[Vegas69]

I turned 36 today and I'm in the best shape of my life. I was hesistant to do this but I feel it's important to show that I don't just talk the talk, I walk the walk.

Here I was about a year and a half ago. Probably in the 190-195 range. Bad habits galore, from drinking like a fish to a pretty poor diet.

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa251/Payback1969/Fat-Copy_zpsf76d1834.jpg

It's now been about 8 months since I changed my habits. I live very much by Jack Lalanne's ideals from diet to excercise. I like to run but have no desire to look like a marathoner so I've tried to keep as much mass as possible. I have changed from my old ways of super heavy weights with nap between sets to 30 minute super high intensity workouts. After 8 months, now I can lift pretty heavy weight with 20-30 seconds rest between sets. I ran a mile in 6:30 two weeks ago. It's really a nice chunk of both worlds. I will say that diet and consistency is everthing. I haven't worked out less than 4 days a week in the last 8 months. (Unless I was sick) I eat 6-7 times most days.

A typical day for me:
Breakfast:
Green Apple
Whole Wheat Toast/NATURAL Peanut Butter/Honey
Non Fat Cottage Cheese/Blueberries/Blackberries(Or other seasonal fruit)

Mid morning:
Raw nuts or banana

Lunch:
A reasonable lunch like a half sandwich and cup of soup or salad with black beans, chicken/steak, pico, light cheese, avocado....

Mid afternoon:
Nuts or another fruit

Pre workout: Orange or Banana

Workout:
3 mile run or .5 hours of high intensity weight (4 days a week)

Dinner:
Grilled Salmon and a spinach salad with 6-10 vegetables/Olive Oil Balsamic or other good dressing

Late Snack:
Greek Yogurt with some granola

I'm at the point where I have trouble keeping the weight on with my above diet. I do drink wine or beer in moderation on Friday and Saturday nights. Again, it's all discipline that turn into good habits.
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa251/Payback1969/Ripped_zps8bfb1687.jpg

[GregWeld]

Better.... but still butt ugly!

[Vegas69]

You can't change ugly.... :lol:

[Flash68]

I like the before look better. :mock:

[CarlC]

Tease.....

HB.

[GregWeld]

Poor Bass turd puts himself out there and we just dump on him.


Come to think about it.... GOOD FOR US!!


:lol: :lol: :lol:

[Vegas69]

I was hoping for way more... (tomatoes flying) :lol:

One thing I want abundantly clear is that I'm not trying to push my beliefs on you. Much like building a custom car or picking a mate, the shoe does need to fit. What makes me feel good and get results may not be as beneficial to you. I will reiterate that nutrition is EVERYTHING. That means that you need to take the initiative to educate yourself, test your blood, and experiment with what makes your boat float. The basics of nutrition are the basics, however. Find what makes your body respond. Now, I'm certainly not telling you to live like a Nun either. While I am very disciplined when my sights are set on a target, you have to stretch it once in a while. A nice dinner on Friday night and a few beers isn't going to derail you. When you do it 5 times week, well....

Now, good health has to very crucial factors, physical and mental. Without the other, it doesn't seem to matter in the long term. You can look great and feel horrible if your mind is in the gutter. Being fit and looking good certainly does help your psyche but it's not the magic potion. Personal development is the key to mental health.

I've said it a million times... "Learn to work harder on yourself than you do on your job" - Jim Rohn I'll be honest, it took me a while to figure this one out. It made sense but I didn't fully comprehend the philosophy until I spent time living it. Getting super fit physically, changing my nutrition, tested by competent medical staff, changing my financial direction, changing the plane of my business, becoming a better leader, a better spouse, a better friend, volunteering through benovelence, and improving my attitude.

You see, every discipline effects the rest. Your conficence inspires confidence in everyone around you. When you are confident, you share and contribute to other peoples lives. You are the biggest beneficiary at the end of the day.

One of the major keys is to seek out new knowledge and philosophy every day of your life through education. Try new things, make new friends that make you stretch and grow.

One of the things I finally realized is as you age, you naturally absorb experiences that turn into baggage. You become more coherent in your own life. The day you realize you aren't living the best life you can, you are letting down at work, on your family, on your kids, it's like an infection, it eats you from the inside out. You can change it through personal development.

"If you change, everything will change for you." -Jim Rohn

You have to find the passion and desire to change. What fuels your fire? For me, it's seeing how far I can go in this life. It surely didn't start out that philisophical.

My tendency is to go off the deep end. I find a desire and goal and go 110% until I achieve it. What I've learned is to pull on my own reigns. That means finding more balance between all the variables in life. While I'm in great shape, I spend 2 hours a week running or in the gym. Sure they are a very productives hours. The self education on nutrition is what keeps me where I want to be. I have a team built at work that allows me the freedom to pursue my interests without dropping the ball at the office. I can service my clients at the highest level ever, while taking most weekends off to volunteer for Big Brother/Big Sisters, hang out with Kelli, Hunt, Fish, Golf, whatever. I'm off at 5:30 every night and rarely put in over 40 hours.

My point, life is custom and what you make of it. You have to pave your own way through education and experience. We are doing one of two things in life. progressing or regressing. Make sure you aren't getting rickets of the mind.

"All life asks of us is to make measurable progress in reasonable time" -Jim Rohn

:cheers:

[Vegas69]

Poor Bass turd puts himself out there and we just dump on him.


Come to think about it.... GOOD FOR US!!


:lol: :lol: :lol:

I was just checking to see if you were reading... :poke: :D

[GregWeld]

Well said Todd. Most of us on here are "type A"... and or have addictive personalities. Ordinary people just put wheels on a car and upgrade to a four barrel. :D "We" go overboard and put in whatever it takes and then some. BALANCE is important.

Great thread.


Gwen just finished Wheat Belly - she's jumping my arse to start the new plan with her.

[skatinjay27]

happy b-day fatty!:trophy-1302:

[Vegas69]

Well said Todd. Most of us on here are "type A"... and or have addictive personalities. Ordinary people just put wheels on a car and upgrade to a four barrel. :D "We" go overboard and put in whatever it takes and then some. BALANCE is important.

Great thread.


Gwen just finished Wheat Belly - she's jumping my arse to start the new plan with her.

I seem to hear more and more about Monsanto and GMO all the time. Just a bad deal all around. I eat a good amount of whole wheat. It's better than white bread which is whole wheat bleached of all it's nutrients. You have to be careful with whole wheat as well. If the ingredients don't start with Whole Wheat Flour, it's less than whole wheat bread. I can see how elimnating bread would help some people lose weight. Real whole wheat bread is low on the glycemic index so I'm not seeing the diabetic relationship.

Everything in moderation....
happy b-day fatty!:trophy-1302:

Thank you sir, what have you been up to?

[Tony_SS]

Cold season update. I have 2 kids, one in preschool, one in K, and the wife day cares for another... so our house is germ central. My kids USED to have chronic ear infections with EVERY cold... this season they have weathered 2 colds with NO ear infections. WHY? I took them off of store bought milk and limited dairy. Its the #1 allergy to kids that causes ear infections. I also took myself off most dairy except Raw Milk. I have had NO ear infections. This season will be the true test as I suffer from seasonal allergies, so we will see if the non-dairy diet helps that. I also eat local honey which is said to help too. Related side note: A Zinc dosage with breakfast helps ward off colds and flu. I survived 3 snotty kids for 2 weeks w/o a cold. Woot!

Gwen just finished Wheat Belly - she's jumping my arse to start the new plan with her.

Good for her! People need to wake up to the "Whole Grain" myth that they are good for you.. not anymore! Wheat is a GMO plant now. It becomes and opiate in the body... No one should eat wheat anymore.. avoid as much of it as you can.

A healthy diet is so simple... Go organic, go primal. Avoid processed anything, and remember that natural saturated fat IS good for you. and Farmers markets are your friend.

If anyone is on facebook, like: thehealthyhomeeconomist

[GregWeld]

Here's the way to keep in shape... have some fun.... burn some calories...


Go snowshoeing in the Sawtooth mountains! If you look you can see the road... we continued to go higher from here. Remember too that you start out at about 7300' of altitude and then start climbing. I'm old at 60... but I keep in shape!




http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad33/gregweld/Sun%20Valley/file-17.jpg

[Vegas69]

Way to go, man! Staying active is crucial to a healthy body and mind. They say that the average man dies within 5 years of retirement. They work and in many cases, waste their whole lives looking forward to the day they can retire and live the "good life". When that day comes, they either don't have the money or the interests to keep themself busy and bore themself into depression and ultimately.....

Here's my favorite photo from my deer hunt last year. I made those mountains my bitch. :D

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa251/Payback1969/DSC_0100.jpg

I had one of the best work outs of my life tonight after a very good day. :thumbsup: Felt really strong and recovered super fast.

[Vegas69]

The basic fundementals of life never change. They have been the same since the beginning of time. Good Health, Continuing Education, Honesty, Putting in your best effort through labor, Character, Relationships, Economics, etc. They will never change.

I've found that serious personal development makes you a scholar of your own life. It helps you diagnose why things are going right and also, why they are going wrong. No matter what you do, you will always have off days and get in ruts. It's never going to change. What can change is how long it takes for you to comprehend the real source of the problem and change your attitude. How fast can you turn things around and start heading back in the right direction?

"You are what you think about." -Earl Nightingale

Give that some serious thought because it's 100% true. Your thoughts control your attitude, confidence, action, and ultimately, results and success.

You can't change the way you think overnight. To put it in car terms, your brain is like an old radiator that needs flushed. As you add water, you start to push out all the old sludge and corrosion, eventually you will end up with clean water. While the memories good and bad will remain, you now have new information that starts to shape your philosophy and attitude on life. I wrote in my journal this week that I've spent 8 months flushing out 35 years of life. While I've come a long long ways, it takes time to completely change the way you think. Controlling your thoughts is one of the most difficult tasks we will ever face. I have no plans to ever quit flushing my brain with fruitful information. (Books, CD's, Church) Anything of positive influence..... I've found that my best days are normally the days I spend the most time of personal development. Some weekdays I'll spend 1.5 hours. Read in the morning before work/journal, listen to CD's on the way to work, between appointments, and read before bed. The more time you spend on personal development, the more ideas and information you have to utilize.

Those are your deep thoughts by Todd Akes for the night...:lol:

[Tony_SS]

Todd, you must be a single man, without kids. :lol: I remember those days!

btw, speaking of Earl, this one is great.

1Y5g2Pe08uc

[Vegas69]

As a matter of a fact, I am without children but I stay pretty busy. That is exactly the same piece I have on CD. If you like that, you'll love Jim Rohn. Order "The Challenge to Succeed" yesterday. :D

[Vegas69]

I ran in my second 5k this morning out at Lake Mead. We ran on the former train track trail they used to build the dam. It was fairly rocky and the first 1.5 was up hill while the 2nd half was back down the hill. My goal was to be faster than my first 5k of 25:29 but my real goal was 7:30 pace.

It's amazing what goals do to the mind. I ran my 5k this morning in 23:19 which is exactly 7:30 pace. :thumbsup: The funny part is my watch lost GPS signal in the first tunnel so it was all by feel after that. I did find my pace before losing signal which is huge. I have to say the last mile was brutal. Since I started out so fast this time, I didn't have many to race until the last .5 when I had a 12 year old kid? come up and pass me. I then chased him to the finish line.

I knocked off over 2 minutes from last fall which was an easier run. I'm pretty stoked.

[Cole]

Congratulations.. and it was 90 degress out today

[hifi875]

Great job!!!!!!

[Flash68]

Nice job bro! :trophy-1302:

But did you really have to pick on a 12 year old to make yourself feel better? :mock:

[Vegas69]

Thanks guys, I ended up 13th out of 345. http://results.bazumedia.com/event/results/event/event-3440

[GregWeld]

Thanks guys, I ended up 13th out of 345. http://results.bazumedia.com/event/results/event/event-3440

Yeah! But was the 12 year old 12th??



:mock: :RunninDog:

[Vegas69]

If he follows in the steps of his fellow Americans and relies on youth to be healthy intead of discipline, growth, nutrtion, and excercise, he'll end up about mid pack at 36. :D :mock:

[Vegas69]

I'm going to share my experience from last night as I think it applies to this thread.

Part of my personal growth is through new associations. Kelli & I have become pretty good friends with a top hand surgeon and his better half through a business trasaction 2 years ago.

Fast forward to last night, we went out to meet them as he wanted to introduce me to his new partner. I began to speak with his wife and things became real interesting. She was born in Iraq and her father was a general in the Army during Desert Storm. He was also a dentist so they had a great life by Iraq standards. Her father had the foresight to send his family to Turkey shortly after desert storm as they were Catholic and her father could feel the changes coming down the line. He ended up needing to sneak out of Iraq to be with his family, giving up everything he has worked for his whole life. At that point he had committed treason and would be killed on the spot if caught. They spent about a year in Turkey before moving to Sweden where she went to college and graduated. During that time, I believe her parents moved to Michigan. Apparently, their is a large society of folks from Iraq. The hardships they encountered amazed me and you could see it in her face and hear it in her voice.

To my point, she is a first generation immigrant and has achieved great success in America. Her perception of this country is different than many. She sees the great opportunties that are abound while the average American complains and thinks they have it so bad. It's a fact that new immigrants are highly successful in this country because they are greatful for the opportunity.

I went on to discuss those facts with her and also let her know that it was no different when my family came from Germany in 1695. They started from scratch as farmers with a huge family. Had aspirations, dreams, and the will to create a successful life. The difference, it's been 300 years since they crossed the pond.

The lesson to be learned is that life is what it's perceived to be in your own eyes. I'm a believer that the typical American has become to lazy, ungreatful, and has lost touch with reality. It doesn't have to be that way, it's a choice.

[Tony_SS]

Thanks for sharing Todd, I completely agree.

I'll share my story. My Dad and his family lived through Nazi Germany. After the war was over, Opa was released from being a Russian prisoner of war, they fled Germany to this country. They arrived with very little, knowing hardly any English. Imagine you are German immigrants here after WWII (!) They all worked very hard, and what they've all accomplished is impressive. The same with my mother's side, her great grandparents right off the boat from Sicily. All of them fought ignorance and prejudice here when they arrived only to prosper. They did this through the opportunity that a free market and a free country gave them. That is why it's so crucial that we fight to sustain it, so that our kids will continue to have these opportunities.

[glassman]

So true you guys! It takes drive to be driven.... Ya gotta want it!

One thing I still love about it, we are paid on commission , in other words, the harder you work, the more you make ( in most cases)

Mike

[Vegas69]

Back in November I had a extensive blood test done and found that my B12 level was abnormaly low and my HDL (Good Cholesterol) was also low.

Since, I've been taking an oral B12 supplement daily under my tongue along with two Omega 3 fish pills.

In November:
B12: 326 (200-1100 US/500-1100 Europe/Japan)
HDL: 36 (40-199)

Recently:
B12: 805
HDL: 42

To bring you back up to speed, my doctor said a B12 level under 500 causes a slough of potential problems and that was confirmed by my research. Number one is fatigue. I'm happy that after only 3 months of supplement, I'm well into the normal range. Most research has shown that levels over 1100 are not harmful. I plan to keep supplementing to increase my level.

I've always had low HDL. Through supplement, I have at least moved into the normal range. Clearly, I will continue to supplement likely for life. I've also changed my diet to include more oils and wine. I've continued to eat wild ocean fish every week. Usually Salmon....

The bottom line is you should get checked out by a qualified pyhsician. In a perfect world, your body regulates your levels properly. In my case, I have two blaring issues that can't be overcome with diet. They require supplement. I can honestly say the B12 made a noticable difference the moment I began to supplement. I have since started taking a vitamin D and I could also feel the difference. There is no doubt it has improved my health.

I plan to go back in 6 months or so to have the full spectrum of tests done plus Vitamin D to make sure my numbers are in the sweet spot.

[Tony_SS]

The problem is most all supplements on the shelf are sub par, overprocessed or rancid, from my research.

Just eat more organic eggs, butter and drink raw milk. Boom. problem solved. Youre welcome. :lol:

[Vegas69]

Being physically fit is not easy. I believe the public lacks fitness mainly due to these factors:

1. They don't know how.
2. They don't make time.
3. They don't care.
4. They can't afford it.
5. They won't make the effort.

In my opinion, overall physical fitness is 80% nutrition and that's where the work starts. Since good nutrition is primarily made up of non processed, fresh foods, it means more shopping and preparation. Take the average American's lifestyle which is made up of working to many hours and being spread to thin, good nutrition goes out the window. If you have a family, you must get everybody on the same page, especially the shopper. Healthy choices must be available at all times in the house and I strongly urge you to pack a cooler EVERYDAY for work. I haven't missed a day in nine months. You simply must have the option to eat healthy snacks at work and on the run. It's also a metabolism and energy booster. I normally pack two snacks a day. Raw nuts, banana, oranges, etc..

The truth of the matter is that nutrition is getting thrown under the rug for a task that is much less important. What can you eliminate from your life or move down the ladder to make time for your better health? What about your families better health? It's easier to get home late and order a pizza than cook a quality meal. Most don't want to change, I get it.

The fact is that we ALL have 24 hours in a day. It comes down to time management. We are all capable of having a few real principals in our life. Health should be near the top of the list. It's not the easy way out but what that's worthwhile and lasting in life is?

Kelli's out of town on her bacholerette party so I had to fend for myself tonight. That meant a trip to the store, cutting up veggies, grilling steak, cleanup, etc.

Salad:
Spinach
2 different onions
2 different peppers
Radishes
Cucumber
Tomatoes
4 oz filet
Balsamic Vinegar/Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Salt/Pepper

I made enough to have one for lunch tomorrow. It was pretty damn good. :D Look at all those phytonutrients and vitamins!

[Tony_SS]

Perfect meal right there!

I pack a lunch everyday.. usually leftovers from the night before. I always include an apple and an orange, a mason jar of water (call me a hippie but I'm avoiding plastics) nuts, raw carrots and leftover beef/shrimp/etc.

I told my wife that since Christmas last year, I eat about 12 eggs a week, drink a half gallon of natural fresh milk from grass fed cow, a 1/4 stick of butter and I'm still losing weight.. down about 8 lbs total. Slow and steady.

[Vegas69]

Sounds like you are in reasonable moderation Tony. Everybody has to find their own way. I'd still urge you to get a full blown blood profile done for your family if nothing else. Numbers do belong within certain perameters. I certainly learned a few things and made some adjustments that have resulted in a better life.:thumbsup:

I certainly hope my friends here are reading and learning a few things they can apply to their own life. I realize this thread isn't on topic or near as popular as my Payback thread. I can honestly say that all the changes I've made through personal development are far and away the best thing I've ever done for myself with the exclusion of the people in my life.

I've started to study the philosophy of John Wooden, the great UCLA basketball coach. A couple of my favorite analogies so far:

"Improve yourself a little every single day" -John Wooden

I've found through new associations, associations with the happiest, most successful people, that they do exactly that. They are constantly learning, studying their own lives.

"Invest yourself in someone else with no expectation of anything in return" -John Wooden

This one is really key. Nothing makes you feel better than helping someone else. You always gain a friend, perspective, respect, and self esteem. YOU learn and cement your own philosophy.

Life is a continual challenge and work in progress. Don't rely on yesterday to propel you into today. Your past experiences and wins are just that, past success. Today is a new challenge and it always will be. NEVER forget what got you where you are today. NEVER forget what keeps you motivated and propelled to improve and excel. It's different for every single person in this great nation.

This morning I got off to one of the worst starts of this year. Uptight, pissed off, and just flat out no fun to be around. It's going to happen no matter what. I was able to turn it around by mid morning and turn it into a super positive day. Great lunch with my accountability partner, interviewed a perspective employee, prospecting call to a client that had her spouse die without me knowing and offering my help free of charge, taking my lady out to a great dinner.

Lastly,


"It's not what happens to you, it's what you do about it" My mentor-Jimmy Rohn

:relax:

[skatinjay27]

update:
ive really been enjoying running lately and today i just did my longest run it was right under 5.5 miles and it was non-treadmill.
i dont know my pace because i didnt log or really pay attention to the time (prolly slow) but i was just shooting for the distance. and i only walked no more than 10 percent of that!

"i feel f-ing great" :D

oh yeah and i weighed 174lbs this morning.

[Tony_SS]

Sounds like you are in reasonable moderation Tony. Everybody has to find their own way. I'd still urge you to get a full blown blood profile done for your family if nothing else. Numbers do belong within certain perameters. I certainly learned a few things and made some adjustments that have resulted in a better life.:thumbsup:

I probably should just for kicks. But then I'd have to listen to some pharmaceutical rep in a white coat give me a lecture on a whole grain, low fat "diet".

Todd, your HDL is still very low! I think I was preaching to you before about that... eat some good healthy saturated fat! It will not make you gain weight, promise. Actually there were some recent studies done... there kids who were drinking skim milk were fatter than ones drinking whole milk!

Yes, virtually everything we are taught about nutrition is wrong.


"Invest yourself in someone else with no expectation of anything in return" -John Wooden

Love that quote.

[hifi875]

Still running. Getting ready for Derby half-marathon on apr 27. Put in 152 miles in the month of march. Still lifting and got me a iron gym and starting doing chin ups/pullups etc. feeling good!

[Vegas69]

update:
ive really been enjoying running lately and today i just did my longest run it was right under 5.5 miles and it was non-treadmill.
i dont know my pace because i didnt log or really pay attention to the time (prolly slow) but i was just shooting for the distance. and i only walked no more than 10 percent of that!

"i feel f-ing great" :D

oh yeah and i weighed 174lbs this morning.

Good to hear buddy! We need to catch up soon.

I probably should just for kicks. But then I'd have to listen to some pharmaceutical rep in a white coat give me a lecture on a whole grain, low fat "diet".

Todd, your HDL is still very low! I think I was preaching to you before about that... eat some good healthy saturated fat! It will not make you gain weight, promise. Actually there were some recent studies done... there kids who were drinking skim milk were fatter than ones drinking whole milk!

Yes, virtually everything we are taught about nutrition is wrong.



Love that quote.

My hdl was below minimum spec when I ate plenty of saturated fat. :D I'll keep raising my hdl while keeping my ldl the same, thanks. :action-smiley-027:

Still running. Getting ready for Derby half-marathon on apr 27. Put in 152 miles in the month of march. Still lifting and got me a iron gym and starting doing chin ups/pullups etc. feeling good!

Beast....

[Tony_SS]

Any seasonal allergy sufferers out there? If so, I'm sure you can relate to the HELL that is Spring. (especially in the midwest)

I have had them since I was born. Every spring and fall (the 2 best seasons!), itchy, puffy eyes, snotty/stuffed up nose and constant sneezing.

I had some high 'hopes' that this year was different and I'm pretty excited that it is. Spring came and I'm waiting for it... waiting... never came, no symptoms. But I wasn't going to get all excited until I survived a day outside cutting grass. That was yesterday and against my wife's suggestion I did it WITHOUT A MASK :D and I have to report that there is NO sneezing or any allergy symptoms of any kind!

Since allergies just dont "go away" I have a few theories as to why I don't have them now and I can only conclude that it my diet, since that is the only thing that has changed since this time last year.

I don't know if its one thing, or a combination of all, but the biggest changes have been that I have cut 90% of the dairy out of my diet. I drink raw milk instead of store bought milk. I eat a dozen eggs a week along with organic butter from grass fed cows. I am eating about 80% less wheat/grains and a lot more organic vegetables and fruit in its place. I eat about the same about of meat (pork, beef, chicken, seafood). I eat a LOT less processed foods. So I don't know if its any of that, all of it, or one thing but I can finally enjoy a Spring season.

[Vegas69]

That's one hell of a great payoff Tony. I suffer from some pretty wicked allergies but my nutrition overhaul didn't eliminate them, it did help me retain more energy. Believe it or not, Vegas has some pretty potent allergens due to the wide variety of plants from all over the world used in landscaping.

It's been a while since I've checked in on my thread. I've continued with my disciplines in nutrition, excercise, and personal development. I don't think I've missed a workout all year. (4 min. per week) I'm 165lbs and approx. 12% body fat. One thing I can tell you has changed this year is my recovery from burn out. I tend to push to hard all around. Solid effort at the office, personal development through reading and cd's, excercise, and personal interests. I don't like to rest but it's crucial to listen to your body and mind. In the past, I'd get burn't out for week, two weeks and so on...This year I've been able to recover in a day or two. The decrease from 5-6 workouts to 4 has made it easier, but sometimes you just can't cram any more information into your brain. It's a good time to let it flow. Sit down and have a in depth conversation or write in a journal.

Three of the many things I've been working on lately is how I feel about other people, how I think they perceive me, and not speaking negatively about others.

Instead of assuming the worst, give them a chance until they prove you wrong. Don't come to conclusions without all the facts. This one has been tough for me as I'm breaking a life long bad habit. I have been doing alot better. I'll give you a minor example: I was following a truck down the freeway last week and a couple pieces of paper flew out the window. My first reaction was, what a scum bag to litter up society. Then I thought, maybe he rolled his window down and it flew off the dash? Who knows but assuming the worst isn't a postive influence on your life.

I'm a bit of a perfectionist to some degree and I have a tendency to think that people have a more negative perception of me than is fact. It's mainly an issue with clients. Could I have done this better, followed up after the sale more often, blah blah blah The truth is that a majority have a very positive perception of me and I've been picturing it that way lately instead of the contrary.

When my Grandfather died, my Dad wrote one of the eulogies. He said, "He never spoke negatively about others his entire life". I'll never forget that fact and that's how I remember him myself. That is one quality I really want to cement. It's to easy to get sucked into conversations at the office or in certain circles. Choose the high road.....

Lastly, is a Jim Rohn video. It's one of my many favorites. It's absolute GOLD and every American could stand to watch it and apply the principals. I do.....
RxdF6Adjli0

[Tony_SS]

I can say, that first hand, being, saying and getting involved in negativity can and will hurt your health. I firmly believe it attributed to my wife getting breast cancer. It was at a time when she got into a fight with these 2 neighbors who were being jerks her, we were having some marriage issues and she was holding in some major stress. On top of that she was training for a marathon and pushing her body past its limits.

Since diagnosis, treatment and recovery we have changed our perspective in a big way. It's just not worth it to get upset over other people actions. It's a tough change to make for sure. I used to get SO ticked at people who drove like jerks, too slow, people who didn't hold doors open, or say 'thanks' when I did, etc etc ect. We have and still try to just let all that BS go, for our OWN sanity and stress management.

Right now, my only brother has accused me of some nonsense, hasn't talked to me in over 4 months, no birthday card or call.. just totally turned into a first class jerk. I have to let it go, otherwise it was cause some negative stress if I let his drama get to me. The old saying, people who hurt are hurting is true. I can't help him, so I let it go.

Anyway, back on the allergies, I spoke a little too soon.. the eye's are a itching. But no other symptoms. This is about half the intensity that it has ever been. So while they aren't completely gone, this is somewhat manageable compared to how it's always been.

[Tony_SS]

Thanks for sharing that video Todd... everyone should watch that!

[Vegas69]

That's great to hear Tony. Glad your wife is doing well.

Two of the major pieces to the equation with attitude is how you feel about other people and how you feel about your job. These are the two I struggle with most.

I think it's important to make all the postive changes in your life possible, but the biggest challenge is controlling your own thoughts. I think it's important to find a way to be happy in today's circumstances while working towards being the person you want to be and the lifestyle you want to live. If you can't be happy today, how do you expect to be happy when you have X amount of $, that dream job, kids, on down the line.

[hifi875]

update on my running

ran 1/2 marathon on 3/23 in 1:47:54 a pr by almost 11min from 2012

ran 1/2 marathon on 4/27 in 1:47:07 missed my goal of a 1:45 but no excuses, just need to train better

will get back to more lifting and a little less running(25 miles a week instead of 35-40), run some 5k races and in July start training for my second marathon with a goal of 3:59:59

47 years old and by far in the best shape of my life!

[Vegas69]

I can comprehend the amount of effort it takes to be in that type of shape. That is some serious committment and discipline. Running is definitely great for the mind and soul. :thumbsup:

[Vegas69]

Attitude is Everything

We've all heard this constantly throughout our lives. I'm a firm believer that making your mind up to have a great attitude is NOT sufficient.

Here are the three major variables to attitude:

Spirit
Mind
Body

Here are the things I work on to improve my attitude:

How I feel about the past- Is it a teacher or a cruch for the future?
How I feel about the future- Are you excited or aprehensive?
How I feel about myself- Do you like who you are today?
How I feel about everybody- Do you give them the benefit of the doubt or assume the worst?
Education- You must input new information into your mind if you wish to think differently.
Influence- The quality of the information you input into your mind.
Association- The quality of people and their attitudes that you hang around.
Effort- Are you doing your best in your relationships, job, etc?
Results- Are you achieving your goals?
Happiness- Are you happy with your current circumstances while you work on getting where you want to go?
Health- If you are sick all the time, how do you expect to have a postive attitude?
Spirit-I'm going to tread lightly here but I've found this to be a huge piece of the puzzle.
Reflection- Are you tracking your results and making adjustments?

Lastly and certainly not least, you don't fix your attitude and expect things to be great until the end of time. Attitude is a daily challenge and it always will be. I've found that creating GOOD habits make a substantial difference.

I now call it the spirit of the day. I start nearly everyday with personal development for 15-30 minutes through a CD or book and say a prayer with thanks for my countless blessings. It sets my day off on a great direction. Then I follow it up with all the disciplines I've worked into my life throughout the day.

I hope this helps you create the attitude you wish to have. Like all good things in life, it takes labor and persistence over time to get where you want to go. It's really a way to diagnose your own life. Until you really break things down, it's extremely tough to put your finger on your own deficiencies. (And we all have many)

[Tony_SS]

I admit I have an attitude problem.. some days its good, other days, forget it. I'm human I guess.. good and bad days. Moving out of the big busy city to a smaller town has definitely helped my case though.

On another note, I've been continuing my paleo-type of diet. My wife is on board too, and she's bringing home all kinds of 'gluten free' items. This week I'm down another 1.5 lbs. I'm not trying to loose weight. I don't limit my portion sizes. It seems my body is just shedding the toxins I've gained over years of eating processed wheat and sugar. I'm down to 157.5 today. I started the year at 175lbs. And the only exercise I get is yardwork and other daily activities.

I've also started subscribing to the idea of nutritional medicine. I listen to Ben Fuchs almost everyday and have been following his advice.

http://pharmacistben.com/

The idea that the body is self regenerating and almost all disease is a result of nutrient deficiency. So I'm really trying to perfect my diet as the core of my physical health. At the same time, I can still enjoy junk food every now and then, like a soda on the weekend, fast food etc. You've got to throw that in the mix to keep the body working out. That's my excuse anyway. ;)

[Vegas69]

How's everybody doing with their health? One of the major challenges of life is keeping death at a respectable distance. You can expect to live longer with a healthier lifestyle but the biggest payoff is your quality of life. The day before Jack Lalanne died at 97, he was working out in his home gym. In my first 5k, I barely passed a 65 year old lady that ran a 25:3x. I'm a believer that you really are as old as you feel. If you aren't happy with what you see in the mirror, feel like crap all the time, or are simply destroying your health with bad foods, do yourself a favor and CHANGE. It will take some discipline to change your eating habits and walk around the block. You may just find that once you go down this road, you'll never turn back. That's what happened to me. My pallet changed, my body changed, and it has effected every other aspect of my life. CHANGE starts with education. Health class in high school was to long ago. Read a book or three.......

http://www.amazon.com/Live-Young-Forever-Optimum-Longevity/dp/1552100642/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1371705843&sr=8-1&keywords=live+young+forever+jack+lalanne

http://www.amazon.com/Eat-Drink-Be-Healthy-Harvard/dp/0743266420/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1371705896&sr=8-1&keywords=eat+healthy

Me, I've been making a tweak here and there to my diet. Mainly, trying new fruits and vegetables. I'm still eating 7-8 times everyday and packing a cooler for work. I've found my sweet spot in the 162.5-165 range. My metabolism is similar to an inferno but I eat super healthy. Nutrition is everything. I'm as consistent as the sunshine with my work outs. In fact, I don't recall missing one all year unless I was under the weather. Not even sure I missed one due to that. Still at 4 work outs a week and only .5 hour. Normally 2 runs and 2 high intensity weight workouts. I have been mixing in a little MMA/Boot Camp type stuff as my gym has new equipment. I also tried Yoga last week. Why didn't I do that when I was single?:bang: I actually enjoyed it. The combination of stretching, resistance, and relaxation was pretty cool. I'll go back as mental relaxation is not one of my strong suits. I tend to push to hard.... With only two hours of exercise per week:
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa251/Payback1969/DSC_0788_zps9ed0546d.jpg (http://s200.photobucket.com/user/Payback1969/media/DSC_0788_zps9ed0546d.jpg.html)
Nutrition, Nutrition, Nutrition You are what you eat.

Towards the end of business today, I went to Starbucks and left my phone in the car. I went there to reflect on the first 6 months of the year from a business perspective. An hour later I have 2.5 pages of notes.

Page 1: Why are things going so well?

Page 2: What must happen to take things to the next level?

Page 3: Weaknesses

These notes serve many purposes. Often we forget what got us there in the first place and quit doing those things. Second, I can now build on what is working with the new ideas I've collected. 3rd, You must study the results to see if your philosophy is working.

We can always improve no matter what. It's really the key to success.

[Blake Foster]

Gotta admit, I have started going to the gym a bit, and eating much healthier.
I started juicing a week and a half ago, it is amazing how a glass of vegetable juice can fill you up.
I have a fruit /protein smoothie in the AM and normal (NO carb) lunch and then Juice and protein usually chicken breast or turkey for dinner.
in a week I lost 6 lb. and I am not fat except the gut. 5"11 at 215. now 208 want to get below 200 by july 15 so there it is.

[Vegas69]

Good to hear Blake! I thought I was talking to myself around here...:lol:

[GregWeld]

Is this thread still goin'??






Great to hear Blake!



What I've found with working out -- is that the scales don't really tell the tale... it's the pant size that I've dropped.... last shopping trip they were 33's -- not the 36's I was wearing.

[Sieg]

Good work Blake :thumbsup:

About 6+ years ago I looked in the mirror one morning and said that's enough.......I was 5'-11" 36" waist and 217 lbs. I've seen a low of 167, went from 36" pant to comfy 34's, L/XL shirts to lose fitting Medium's.

The key elements for myself were
- 40-50% reduction in intake volume
- 20 minute fast high rep weight workout at lunch, 400+ reps Crunches/Curls. Tri-press/leg press/Lat pulls/dumb bell curls.
-Healthy snacks frequently - controls hunger and desire to overeat at breakfast/lunch/dinner.

Once your stomach volume shrinks and stabilizes it's easy. If I go out to eat lunch or dinner I typically get an appetizer as anything more results in uncomfortably overfull.

Find what works for your body and routine then stay the course until it becomes habit, then it becomes easy/normal! :thumbsup:

[Vegas69]

Is this thread still goin'??






Great to hear Blake!



What I've found with working out -- is that the scales don't really tell the tale... it's the pant size that I've dropped.... last shopping trip they were 33's -- not the 36's I was wearing.

Hey, fitness and nutrition isn't as exciting as money. :D Just look around..... Like wealth, there is no easy route. I'd bet if you were to ask 100 people what would make them happier, wealth or fitness, 95 out of 100 would pick wealth. While financial stability is important, nothing replaces feeling well. Just ask somebody with cancer or any other nasty disease. It's a big part of achieving your goals. Having the stamina and attitude to put in the labor necessary.

[Blake Foster]

What I've found with working out -- is that the scales don't really tell the tale... it's the pant size that I've dropped.... last shopping trip they were 33's -- not the 36's I was wearing.

No mater what I do I will never fit in YOUR PANTS!!!
lol

[Tony_SS]

I'm glad to see this thread still going and that all you guys having become quiters hitting up the dunkin donut shops every morning. :)

I have admit my passion is nutrition. I try to avoid the word diet because that suggest starving yourself. I never do that. I have officially lost 20 lbs since I started my paleo/ancestor eating lifestyle a little over 6 months ago.

I went from 175lbs and pushing a 34" pants down to 32" (which are becoming baggy on me!) and 155lbs! I did this solely on diet alone over the course of 6 months! I'm really happy with the results, and like I said before, I do NOT limit the quantity of my food - I regulate the quality of it.

I examined both "diets" and picked the best parts of each. From a paleo standpoint, I adopted their NO WHEAT mantra based on the fact that wheat is a genetic frankenstein that makes us fat. When I stopped eating it, I stopped craving sugar. And I LOVE sweet foods. It's pretty amazing that lost those cravings. So it was real easy to give up drinking SODA. I think that is the most important aspects of Paleo: No wheat/grains and little to no processed sugar.

The ancestor diet studies what our great grandparents ate. You know, back in the days where heart disease and cancer weren't a household word. This traditional diet embraces animal fats as a source of nutrition. So I eat a dozen eggs a week, 1/2 stick of butter, plenty of pork (bacon!) and beef. I am living proof that saturated fat does not make you fat. Of course I eat plenty of fruit and vegetables too.

Now the dairy question. Many people doing paleo give up dairy. I ended up doing so for a different reason. My kids and I have had chronic ear infections and allergies all our lives. After some unconventional reading, store bought dairy was said to be the number one cause of ear infections. So when I was tired and scared of too much antibiotics, I decided to ban store bought milk in our house. To my surprise we survived the 2012 flu's/colds through winter and 2013 spring with NO EAR INFECTIONS. This in itself was amazing! You will never see a plastic gallon of milk in my house. The stuff is CRAP. Between the hormones, antibiotics and junk they feed factory cows, along with the added sugar, the whole "GOT MILK" propaganda campaign can kiss my ***.

To make things more interesting during that time, I did not give up milk. I drank RAW organic milk from grass feed cows. Which is high in fat and nutrition. So the milk itself was never the problem. It's the CRAP factory farm milk that is making us sick.

I have learned alot about nutrition the past 6-8 months and am still learning. I can tell you now when I go shopping, its like I"m in the Matrix. Everything has Wheat/Sugar/Vegetable oils. So its challenging. The good thing is they sell Gluten free bread so I'm not totally depriving myself of grains. But I am learning that factory farming and processing of name brand food is NOT food, but food like products. They are essentially selling us edible industrial waste.

So if you ever find yourself working out, but not losing any weight, that is why. To start with, stop eating wheat and you'll stop craving sugar. Next stop eating processed anything. Make little changes in WHAT you eat, and you'll see a big change in yourself.

[Vegas69]

Tony, nobody ever wants to hear that nutrition is the major key to weight management and health. You really have to experience the results. I've recently started to cut wheat out of my diet. I haven't had any problems with weight management but I'm hoping it makes me more regular as I've had problems my entire life. I won't likely dump it completely but I'm going to give it some time and see if I notice any difference. I personally believe that our bodies do need saturated fat and cholesterol. It really comes down to moderation. Your blood work (That you need to get your butt to the doctor and have done) will tell you if you need to adjust your diet. Sticking your head in the sand is not advisable. :D The milk deal is right on the money. Greater than FDA recommended calcium is the number 1 cause of prostate cancer additionally(Look at any men's multi vitamin). I like my greek yogurt but I responsibly source it. I also eat 1-2 hard boiled eggs a day. Fruits and Vegetables are KEY. Not only do they have the vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients which scientists no little about, they help control disease and body PH. Blueberries have been found to decrease the likely hood of prostate cancer. I eat them nearly every day.

Bottom line, you are what you eat. :thumbsup:

[Tony_SS]

I hear you Todd... I would like to get some blood work done. Except, my doctor is not a nutritionist, I hate needles, and I'm no fan of doctors either. lol

Example, all my life I've had digestion problems. The doctors remedy? Treat the symptoms with TUMS or some pill. WRONG. The problem was that my stomach did not make enough acid. The solution, I started drinking Braggs (http://www.amazon.com/Apple-Cidar-Vinegar-Organic-Unflavored/dp/B001AIWAAE/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1372431861&sr=8-3&keywords=braggs) apple cider vinegar every other day. No more burping, hiccups, and indigestion. I can finally take on some garlic like never before! :) I drink it now every morning. Plus it helps keep my body in an alkaline state. Just like lemons are very acidic, but when they get to your stomach, the turn alkaline. I also eat an apple+seeds everyday since its one of the most alkaline foods out there. The seeds are loaded with B-17, that has super cancer fighting properties.

Todd, I'm glad to hear about you cutting the wheat out. Try it and see what happens. I would cut as much as you can, if not all of it. It might be what's causing the binding. It's an industrial product now, its not our grandparents wheat anymore. Give it time too, everyone's different. I do still treat myself to things that might have some wheat, but I've cut 90% of it out of my life.

Another result of the paleo diet is that I'm never hungry. Products like wheat (gluten) and corn syrup are designed to increase our appetite. I was always hungry when I ate that stuff, hence being 20lbs over weight!

I eat 3 times a day, normal meals and I'm satisfied each time. I have a bag of nuts or piece of fruit in between. But I don't think we were designed to "graze" all day, eating 5-8 meals/snacks. I think that is a result of gluten and sugar making us hungry all the time.

So for this weekend, I'll being dining on some BBQ RIBS along with red onions, green, yellow and red peppers with plenty of Kerrygold butter (from grassfed cows), salt, pepper, garlic, maybe some asparagus too. Unsweetened ice tea to wash it down and for desert, raspberries, blueberries and starwberries with homemade whipped cream.

[Vegas69]

Doctors are like any other profession, first of all, it's a business. Then they all have different educations, skills, and ultimately, intelligence. That was one of my hurdles when I first went down this road, finding a good doctor. I believe I've done that as she's young and genuinely interested in improving my health.

Kelli and I has a gluten free pizza tonight with goat cheese, spinach, pine nuts and kale salad with figs, feta cheese and the rest I can't remember. I was impressed with the gluten free crust. I am going to keep as much wheat out of my diet as possible to see if I feel the difference. I hope you are right about the binding. My doctor recommended probiotics which I'll try as well.

One area where I have to disagree is frequency of consumption. My metabolism is very active. I prefer lighter meals and healthy snacks and deserts. I can eat 9 times a day and easily maintain my weight. Of course my snacks are apples, raw nuts, grapefruit, hummus, carrots, greek yogurt, blueberries, you get the idea..(And that's all today) Ha

I do agree on high fructose corn syrup which I avoid like the plague.

I'm enjoying our debate Tony.

My mentor Jim Rohn said, "When you think you have all the answers, it's time to start asking different questions".

[protour73]

Is this thread still goin'??

What I've found with working out -- is that the scales don't really tell the tale... it's the pant size that I've dropped.... last shopping trip they were 33's -- not the 36's I was wearing.

About 6+ years ago I looked in the mirror one morning and said that's enough.......I was 5'-11" 36" waist and 217 lbs. I've seen a low of 167, went from 36" pant to comfy 34's, L/XL shirts to lose fitting Medium's.

The key elements for myself were
- 40-50% reduction in intake volume
- 20 minute fast high rep weight workout at lunch, 400+ reps Crunches/Curls. Tri-press/leg press/Lat pulls/dumb bell curls.

Find what works for your body and routine then stay the course until it becomes habit, then it becomes easy/normal! :thumbsup:

Totally agree with both of you!!

Back in January, the company I work for decided to give back to the employees, during our office expansion and built a company fitness room!!

What a great perk, and timely as well. I was looking in the mirror saying to myself....."Damn dude, 55 years old and you are "THAT guy"!!! Middle aged fat ass.

I go into work every day @ 6am, an hour before I start work and do a 20-25 minute workout. Pretty much identical to what Sieg mentioned.....almost exclusively upper body exercises.

Virtually NO diet change, with the exception of smaller portions.....and WOW what a change!!!! At my last annual physical last month, I dropped 6lbs, my cholesterol dropped from 206 to 196, triglycerides down from 178 to 118, good cholesterol went UP and bad cholesterol went DOWN.

I'm not sporting 6-pack abs, and probably never will ......but after 5 months of a religious 5 day a week workout (I do enough around the house and yard on weekends!!) there is definite muscle mass increase. I used to have occasional back ache in the morning when I woke up, that is gone with the muscles in the back being strengthened, my energy level increased.

And like Greg says, the scale does not tell the tale. I made a point of NOT looking at the scale over the last 5 months. Muscle weighs more than fat, so I thought if I start increasing the muscle mass, I might actually gain weight. But that wasn't the case.....pants start getting loose, that's sign enough!!

I really have to thank my company for the great gift to us, the employees in the form of that fitness room. It is so convenient it would be a crime to not use it to improve yourself!!!

[Vegas69]

That's awesome Scott, I bet you are one of the few that has taken advantage of your new facility. That day you look in the mirror I like to call the day of Disgust that turns your life around.

I do agree that looking in the mirror instead of at the scale initially is the right idea. Once you find a work out program and stick to it until you have reached the peak fitness level for that workout, weight does come into play. You aren't gaining muscle anymore, simply maintaining your level of fitness. That's when you need to start seeing the scale come down. How long that takes really comes down to how out of shape an individual was to start with. I would estimate that someone starting from scratch should get to that level with consistency in no longer than 3-4 months.

When a plateau is hit, you aren't getting in better shape and the scale won't budge, it's time to look at your nutrition and calorie intake. It's much easier to improve your diet than double your work outs. That's where most go wrong, they try to make up for poor nutrition in the gym, it's nearly impossible and leads to the towel being thrown in the ring. You must enjoy the work outs and if they become to long, it's easy to make an excuse not to go.

Scott, your work out routine is perfect. 25 minutes, 5 days a week is plenty to keep you fit.

I also think that decreasing your portion size is smart. Just don't go overboard and start consuming an unrealistically low amount of daily calories that will lead to the towel being thrown in the ring and the weight going right back on. It's my opinion that everybody should track their daily food intake through a journal or myfitness pal for a couple months to educate themselves on food content. It also allows you to find the daily calorie intake that will maintain your weight. Then it's easy to decrease the daily intake by say 300 calories to start sucking the fat off. Once you have tracked your diet and have found foods that are healthy and you can eat repetitively, you don't need to track anymore. You'll be in the ball park from experience.

[glassman]

Todd, that is sooo true what you say about portion control. When my wife and I are on travel, i can't help but notice the obesity around, in this country. Everything is "bigger & tastier", soo sad.

I am going to try the "gluten" thing, i am also going to go to a nutrionalist to see what it is that disagree's with me. I am 46, very driven, hyperactive and i need to slow down, its like the racing saying "ya gotta go slow (smooth) to go fast".
I cycle and row and eat fairly well, but owning a business can kick your butt sometimes.

So i'm taking a week off, and staying at some resort in the desert, during one of the hottest weeks of the year, timing. Ever here of that town in southern Nevada, the one with all the action? Seriously though, my wife and i have no plans but to rest :relax: & exercise in the gym and see a couple of shows maybe, eat GOOD food, and chill (no pun intended) ....;

But i gotta loose 7 to 10 off the gut, I had major shoulder surgery last year that really took its toll on me, plus with biz being super good, its tough to get my two hour rides in, i'm down to 3 to4 hours a week. Thats still not enough for me to loose weight, so i gotta watch my diet even more....

Mike

[Vegas69]

Mike, welcome to the sauna, I mean paradise. :thankyou: You'll knock that 10 lbs off in no time with some tweaks to your diet! A nutritionalist is a great idea.

No matter how great your nutrition is or how much you exercise, you will get tired. Rest is still one of my weaknesses. I love to be productive and make progress in every segment of this crazy wheel we call life. I push myself over the edge on a regular basis and it's almost comic reading my own journal and watching it happen over and over. I've been paying the price for a year now to get my life on the trajectory I desire. That has meant very little rest but that has to change now that I'm on track. The 4 day weekend vacation every quarter that I've set as a personal goal will now come to fruition. I need to get better about saying NO to myself. Life is a delicate balancing act. I have to admit that I prefer for the balance bar to be on the over busy side. :)

I'm working 36-40 hours a week but it's super focused. (Realistically most folks 50-60) My work outs are only 2 hours a week but they are super high intensity.(Realistically most folks 3-4) I spend a good hour or more on personal development most days. (CD's, Videos, Books, Journaling, Reviewing Goals) Eating healthy at the house requires more time and effort. These things are constants and I have no plans to change. Where I run into trouble is to much personal development, fishing at 4 AM three Saturdays in a row, projects around the house, my volunteer work, outing with friends. There is no room for complaint as I wouldn't have it any other way, I simply need to learn to leave myself time for a little more rest.

[Tony_SS]

Doctors are like any other profession, first of all, it's a business. Then they all have different educations, skills, and ultimately, intelligence. That was one of my hurdles when I first went down this road, finding a good doctor. I believe I've done that as she's young and genuinely interested in improving my health.

Kelli and I has a gluten free pizza tonight with goat cheese, spinach, pine nuts and kale salad with figs, feta cheese and the rest I can't remember. I was impressed with the gluten free crust. I am going to keep as much wheat out of my diet as possible to see if I feel the difference. I hope you are right about the binding. My doctor recommended probiotics which I'll try as well.

One area where I have to disagree is frequency of consumption. My metabolism is very active. I prefer lighter meals and healthy snacks and deserts. I can eat 9 times a day and easily maintain my weight. Of course my snacks are apples, raw nuts, grapefruit, hummus, carrots, greek yogurt, blueberries, you get the idea..(And that's all today) Ha

I do agree on high fructose corn syrup which I avoid like the plague.

I'm enjoying our debate Tony.

My mentor Jim Rohn said, "When you think you have all the answers, it's time to start asking different questions".

Yes, good discussion. I try not to get so big headed to think that I have all the answers. It's taken me 39 years to figure that out. ;) That is something to always keep in mind when talking to "professionals" too. There are many different nutritionists that will swear a "whole grain high-fiber, low saturated fat" diet is good for you. And it is not. It helped keep me 20 lbs over weight for 10+ years.

I think it's great there are so many gluten-free options out there. I'm totally on board after losing this weight from it. Todd, what about this, in addition to going gluten free, cut your dairy intake in half, and double your saturated fat intake. That should unlock things. Like I said everyone is different, it's just a matter of trying different solutions to see what works. The probiotics will aid in the good entrail bacteria you need, but I don't see that in aiding regularity. The dairy is likely the culprit.


I am going to try the "gluten" thing, i am also going to go to a nutrionalist to see what it is that disagree's with me. I am 46, very driven, hyperactive and i need to slow down, its like the racing saying "ya gotta go slow (smooth) to go fast".
I cycle and row and eat fairly well, but owning a business can kick your butt sometimes.

So i'm taking a week off, and staying at some resort in the desert, during one of the hottest weeks of the year, timing. Ever here of that town in southern Nevada, the one with all the action? Seriously though, my wife and i have no plans but to rest :relax: & exercise in the gym and see a couple of shows maybe, eat GOOD food, and chill (no pun intended) ....;

But i gotta loose 7 to 10 off the gut, I had major shoulder surgery last year that really took its toll on me, plus with biz being super good, its tough to get my two hour rides in, i'm down to 3 to4 hours a week. Thats still not enough for me to loose weight, so i gotta watch my diet even more....

Mike

Hi Mike.. glad to hear you are going to try ditching the wheat. You WILL have great results! If not, you can come back here and verbally assault me. :lol: It can be hard at first. I suggest picking one meal a day that has no wheat. Then when you can handle that, move it up to 2 meals sans wheat. If you can cut at least 80% of wheat out (no one's perfect!) you'll loose the 10lbs in month. Good luck, report back!

[GregWeld]

Gwen and I went 100% Gluten free after reading Wheat Belly.... both lost a quick 10 #'s and that has stayed off...


Only thing we find we "must" eat because the substitutes just aren't ready for prime time ---- PASTA... if I make spaghetti -- I just use normal stuff.


We've found great - in fact very tasty - crackers... and breads... and even muffins that are not only gluten free - they're damn tasty!

[Vegas69]

I have to admit that my stomach has felt more active in the 3-4 days I haven't had any wheat with the exception of some beers Saturday night. I'm going to give it 3 solid weeks and report back my opinion. I don't expect to lose any weight. If anything, I feel hungrier today not having any bread.

Kelli has already bought me gluten free bread and other goodies to give it the old college try. I'm hoping for similar results to you guys. :relax:

Tony, I don't eat that much dairy. I'll have a few spoon fulls of greek yogurt with berries once a day at the most. It is non fat but certified organic. I could step it up a notch to higher fat content. I think I'll make one change with the wheat and then try cutting out the dairy. I do consume some shredded cheese and it does have a good amount of saturated fat. I'll eat red meat once a week at the least for that very reason. I do consume lots of olive oil in Kelli's cooking and on salads.

[Vegas69]

"If YOU change, everything will change for you" -Jim Rohn

Jim always says that you must study the results to see if your philosophy on life is working. It's been around a year since I started down this road so I thought I'd post the results of my new lifestyle.

I've posted the results of my fitness and nutrition but I want to make it clear that I've put 3-4 times more effort into my mind through personal development than I have my body.

I'm going to break it down into major categories:

Relationships:
Began a reconnection with God.
Greatly improved my relationship with my now Wife, Kelli.
Forged a very rewarding relationship with my little brother (Saif) mentoring him in Big Bro's/Big Sisters program. (He was my ring bear)
Created two new friendships with what I consider very positive associations
I believe I've become a better son, brother, and friend as well.

Health:
Lost over 30 lbs (195 to a low of 159, hover in the 162-165 range) High school weight
By far the best fitness of my life (15th out of 380 runners in a 5k) High intensity weights have kept me fairly muscular
Found a great doctor that is genuinely interested in my greater health. She found a B12 deficiency and low HDL which has now been fixed through supplement. (Retesting tomorrow) In the works to fix my septum with 80% blockage.
Overhauled my diet with Jack Lalanne ideals (If I can't pronounce it or don't know what it is, I do my best not to eat it!) Eat 7-9 times a day with a metabolism that's off the charts.
Squashed what I would consider alcoholism. Now drink lightly on Friday/Saturday. (Didn't get drunk at my own wedding) Occasional glass of wine on Thursday.

Personal Finances:
Changed my balance sheet by $25,000 per year! (Not income related except for rental properties) Paid off car along with other misc. cuts
Increased my net worth by OVER 30%.
Purchased two rental properties at 3.75% interest that cash flow $500 a month
Have a REAL plan on a spreadsheet down to the pennies on how to become a millionaire by 43 and financial independence by 50-55

Business:
Increased gross income by 52%! (Comparing mid 2012 to mid 2013)
I have become a much more polished leader for my team. There is no better way to lead than by example.
I have an evolving business model.
I track every lead that comes through the door.
I'm constantly changing marketing through accountability.
I have a business journal where I track my effort to make sure I'm putting in the required time and concentrating on major things.
Customer service has improved....
Have two accountability partners
Start with a coach next week
Have become a Dave Ramsey ELP

When I reflect on it, it's an amazing amount of progress in a years time. It really came down to DISGUST. I was sick of how I looked in the mirror, how I felt, my poor attitude towards business and my future. Some bad habits had progressively gotten worse and a 5 year down slide in the real estate market had whooped my ass mentally even though I had stayed successful.

Life change starts with EDUCATION. Once I desired to change, I had to figure out how? In the last year I've read over 25 books, listened to 40-50 educational CD's (Many multiple times). I started keeping a journal almost immediately. I spend an easy hour a day on personal development. Start every morning with a book or cd in my new study. Always a CD in my car, read almost every night before bed. I changed my influences by ignoring the news and not getting sucked into the wrong conversations. I've limited some associations and expanded others.

Attitude was and still is the hardest for me. The rest of it was a challenge but nothing in comparison to attitude. The problem with attitude is you don't fix it one day and move on with your life. It's a constant challenge. I was a good 6 months into this deal before I really started to diagnose it. Even though my attitude has improved greatly through my new disciplines, I hadn't figured out all my sources of unhappiness. The one major lingering was my business. I simply wasn't putting in the effort and the results showed it. It wasn't until serious reflection with a very good friend that I realized it. It was in my subconscious. Doing the BEST I CAN has made a huge difference in my life. Life's biggest challenge is being in control of your own mind. You must feed it quality information if you wish to be happy, progressive, and think the right thoughts.

I didn't write this to brag (Maybe a little), I really hope it inspires you to change if you aren't satisfied with your life. Remember, YOU must change if you want a better life.

Jim always says, Once you go down this road, you'll never turn back. I couldn't agree more. I want to see just how far I can go in this life.

The greatest value of life is not what you get, the greatest value of life is what you BECOME. -Jim Rohn

[Payton King]

Congrats on your changes and your new found direction.

[DOOM]

Was at the Route 66 Nationals this Sunday and met Danni Allen the winner of last season Biggest Loser. Got a lot of great weight lose tips. Hard to believe this girl was almost 260 pounds!

[Tony_SS]

That is a pretty awesome list of things to be proud of Todd. Most people just don't care, I'm glad to hear of those who do.

I have to admit that my stomach has felt more active in the 3-4 days I haven't had any wheat with the exception of some beers Saturday night. I'm going to give it 3 solid weeks and report back my opinion. I don't expect to lose any weight. If anything, I feel hungrier today not having any bread.

Kelli has already bought me gluten free bread and other goodies to give it the old college try. I'm hoping for similar results to you guys. :relax:

Tony, I don't eat that much dairy. I'll have a few spoon fulls of greek yogurt with berries once a day at the most. It is non fat but certified organic. I could step it up a notch to higher fat content. I think I'll make one change with the wheat and then try cutting out the dairy. I do consume some shredded cheese and it does have a good amount of saturated fat. I'll eat red meat once a week at the least for that very reason. I do consume lots of olive oil in Kelli's cooking and on salads.

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Mine was the same way at first. I was looking for bread "filler" because I was hungry alot. I just kept grabbing a banana, carrots, apples, anything. I never let myself starve, I just ate something else. The craving for 'filler' does subside to just about nothing.

If it were me, I would ditch the greek yogurt. With no fat and the sugar added, I don't see the benefit of it. I would substitute a hard boiled egg.

ps. I tried some of this for the first time this weekend. Gluten free beer, and it is awesome.

http://www.united-nations-of-beer.com/images/redbridge-glutenfree-beer-in-calgary-21354746.jpg

[Vegas69]

Thanks fellas. It's been very rewarding. I'm in Big Bear Lake, CA relaxing for the weekend. I'm going to take a jog around the lake tomorrow to get in my 4th workout this week. :)

Tony, the yogurt does have some protein and serves as a dessert for me. I used to be a big ice cream eater.

[Vegas69]

Was at the Route 66 Nationals this Sunday and met Danni Allen the winner of last season Biggest Loser. Got a lot of great weight lose tips. Hard to believe this girl was almost 260 pounds!

How bout sharing these secrets:D

[Tony_SS]

Thanks fellas. It's been very rewarding. I'm in Big Bear Lake, CA relaxing for the weekend. I'm going to take a jog around the lake tomorrow to get in my 4th workout this week. :)

Tony, the yogurt does have some protein and serves as a dessert for me. I used to be a big ice cream eater.

My son was an ice cream freak! But when we figured out him and his sis were having reactions to dairy, that kinda put the kibosh on that. I got to hand it to him, he's fine going without, he even turned down chocolate milk at his buddies house, and said no thanks to Gatorade since it was the G2 stuff with aspartame in it.

On a good day the wife will make us all homemade ice cream from chocolate almond milk. That is some good stuff, without all the extra sugar and dairy.

[Vegas69]

I'm 100 pages into "The China Study". I'm really enjoying it so far. I'll post some of the hi-lites once I get a little deeper. I will say that dairy is already a small part of my diet, but it will become even smaller along with other animal proteins.

I fell off the Gluten Free diet on vacation. :wacko:

[Tony_SS]

I'm 100 pages into "The China Study". I'm really enjoying it so far. I'll post some of the hi-lites once I get a little deeper. I will say that dairy is already a small part of my diet, but it will become even smaller along with other animal proteins.

I fell off the Gluten Free diet on vacation. :wacko:

I fall off all the time! I had smores last night with the family. It's all about moderation. I'm 90% gluten free. That's good enough. When I fall off, I make sure it's worth it.

I read that they really don't use any dairy in China, and their breast cancer rates are super low too. However, I don't know if the problem is dairy itself, its probably all the GMO grain feed, growth hormones, antibiotics and horrible factory living conditions that our dairy comes from. Same with all animal products.

Fill me more when you have a chance.

[Code510]

I've been snooping this thread for awhile. Its nice to see other people following the Paleo style of eating. I found out about Paleo a few years ago but never really tried it until a year ago or so. I do love it, makes me feel so much better! I was going good at it for quite a few months then kind of stopped, then back and forth but for the past month have been back at it.

Mind you I'm not allergic to anything...but after reading up on what is Paleo and the ideas behind it, its harder to eat carb loaded food now. I still do from time to time, but notice a drop in energy and then my waist will start to grow.

Love this thread, it's very motivational!

[Vegas69]

Glad to hear it! One thing that we all need to keep in mind is that the same approach to health, diet, and exercise won't work for everybody. It really takes experience through consistency to find your way to better health.

I also think it's important to separate the three.

Health: Body is free of disease and you have no underlying issues that need medical attention.

Diet: Healthy nutrition that is cemented through a lifestyle change initiated by education.

Exercise: A program that you can do consistently and enjoy. We aren't all made to run marathons or bench press 500 lbs. Find you sweet spot.

Personally, I'm still working to improve all three.

Health: I'm having a sleep study done next week for sleep apnea and getting a 2nd opinion for my badly deviated septum. It's likely my septum is the sleeping problem but the doc wants to verify before I go under the knife just incase they need to bore out my throat as well. :wacko:

Diet: I'm still experimenting and reading new books. I stay lean with my current nutrition but I'm constantly trying new foods to see if I can feel the difference.

Exercise: I'm always adding new exercises but I need to get better about going outside the box here.

[glassman]

Todd, I too have a badly deviated septum, like 10% breathing capacity of normal so i was told by my ENT doc, they want to "chisel" their way back to open up the birth defects, that was 10+ years ago, i'm still too chicken to do it, although i''ll jump off a cliff with skis on, go figure. Us humans are weird...

[GregWeld]

Todd, I too have a badly deviated septum, like 10% breathing capacity of normal so i was told by my ENT doc, they want to "chisel" their way back to open up the birth defects, that was 10+ years ago, i'm still too chicken to do it, although i''ll jump off a cliff with skis on, go figure. Us humans are weird...




Mike! Worst surgery I've ever had! Just F'n nasty... no way to "stitch" ya up.. so you just bleed --- with cotton packed up there... Sleep sittin' up... black and blue face... Just miserable.


Best thing I ever did. I can breathe... don't have a sinus infection every other month... which gives me more energy.


MISERABLE surgery... but really helpful.

[glassman]

Greg, yep. Same thing with my shoulder surgery. i had separated tendons, 100% tears, effin aweful. one year recovery, cast for 3 months, but now i can sleep on my right side and it doesnt feel like somebody kicked me in the balls!

But sleep, its soooo important to a healthy body, hard to imagine but thats when we "recover" from exercise, disease, work (lol)

Well Greg, it is something to ponder, i'm sure my wife would love to "hear" less of my sleep....i've offered to sleep in other rooms, but, "we so horny" :lmao:

[GregWeld]

Greg, yep. Same thing with my shoulder surgery. i had separated tendons, 100% tears, effin aweful. one year recovery, cast for 3 months, but now i can sleep on my right side and it doesnt feel like somebody kicked me in the balls!

But sleep, its soooo important to a healthy body, hard to imagine but thats when we "recover" from exercise, disease, work (lol)

Well Greg, it is something to ponder, i'm sure my wife would love to "hear" less of my sleep....i've offered to sleep in other rooms, but, "we so horny" :lmao:



WON'T help your snoring.... that's a separate issue.


Won't make your boner bigger either.... :buttkick:

[glassman]

WON'T help your snoring.... that's a separate issue.


Won't make your boner bigger either.... :buttkick:

;ha! bummer though, on both accounts!

[Vegas69]

Mike, if you sleep as poorly as I do, suck it up buddy. When I broke mine in 1998, it healed and I had to go through a similar procedure. I don't remember it being much fun but I'm ready. I'm just taking the proper steps.

Greg's right, snoring is a throat problem. I was just at the Neurologist this week discussing my sleep problems. I've found that the nights I sleep say 5-7 hours, I'll feel better than 7-9. He said that sleep apnea is the worst in the late stages of REM sleep. Meaning, your throat muscles are the most relaxed collapsing your airway or with a deviated septum, the oxygen level gets lower in your blood the longer you sleep.

Greg, the best way to increase your boner is through use. Your old and I'm married. :lol:

[Tony_SS]

Enough boner talk at this sausage fest. :lol:

Any updates on you guys' trying out the Paleo deal?

My 32" pants are feeling loose now. And I'm not trying to even loose weight... I don't crave bread, crackers, chips, cookies at all anymore. And I was a cereal freak. I ordered up a BBQ brisket, cole slaw. I tried part of the bun and could not believe at how sweet it tasted.. it's weird.

No one ever died of a wheat deficiency. Especially today's version of modified "wheat". Quitting wheat and dairy killed my sugar cravings too. Pretty cool...

[Vegas69]

The China Study

I promised to condense some thoughts once I dug into "The China Study". I'm now 230 pages deep and it's been a very enjoyable and enlightening read. Let me say that the more I study nutrition, the more I realize that it's similar to religion and politics. Everybody has an opinion and the dust will never settle. Much like other aspects of life, you have to determine what voices hold the most value.

They claim that this is the most comprehensive study on nutrition ever performed in the history of man kind. The basis of this book is that most Western diseases (Heart Disease, Cancers, Diabetes, Alzheimers, etc) are preventable with the right nutrition. That is a whole food, largely plant based diet.

Astonishing statistics in America:

A male has a 47% chance of cancer in his lifetime.
Over 30% of our population is obese.
Heart disease kills 1 in 3 Americans.
Diabetes has increased by 70% for the 30 something age group in the last 10 years.
Medical care is the 3rd leading cause of death.
America has almost double the health care cost per person of any other major country in the world.
It's estimated that only 2-3% of cancers are caused by GENETICS
And the list goes on and on....

They started out by testing their theory on Rats. They found that a diet of 20% dairy protein (Casein) would help cancer cells originate and grow. At only 5% of the diet, cancer didn't take hold. By switching to a plant based protein diet of 20%, the cancer cells would turn off and quit multiplying. Then switching back to a dairy protein (Casein) it would turn back on. The Western diet is extremely high in protein. They claim we only need about 10% of our diets to come from protein to sustain energy level and normal function. Magically, in the 10-12% range was where they determined an animal based protein diet to be relatively safe.

Once they had proved it in rats, they then went to mice and found the same results. To prove there theory, they studied 65 counties, 6500 people per county with blood tests, urine samples, and questionnaires. From poverty level to the wealthiest of the Chinese. What they found was astonishing. The poorest suffered from the least Western diseases because they were forced to eat a whole food, plant based diet. As they Chinese became wealthier, they adopted a more Western diet of animal proteins and they suffered the same fate of Western disease.

To be continued.....

[glassman]

Todd, What does it mean "Medical care is the third leading cause of death"?

Also, went on a 132 mile dual sport ride around Tahoe on Monday, my first ride since my shoulder surgery. It was a 9 hour event with most the riding being off road dirt bike. My stamina was good thanks to my cycling efforts. My back/shoulders/lats i tried strenghining by the Concept 1 rowing maching but i wasnt consitant enough, but still, hardly any lactic acid. My one problem, my goggles very very lightly pinching my nose and i couldnt breath through it at all!

As much as i am going to hate it, i'm gonna have to do the septum surgery:eek: :brix: :superhack: , and yes in that order....

[Vegas69]

Wow Mike, that's some serious stamina. Good for you!

To answer your question about medical care being the 3rd leading cause, here's the break down:

Adverse drug effects: 106,000 deaths
Hospital bone infections: 80,000 deaths
Other preventable errors in hospital: 20,000
Unnecessary surgery: 12,000
Medication errors: 7,400

Moral of the story, the less medical attention you require throughout your life, the less chance you have to die from the 3rd biggest killer, MEDICAL CARE.

A good friend of mine told me a story of a very wealthy client of his recently. He had a minor rotator cuff tear and was told it was minimally invasive and he would come out of the surgery with no side effects. After the surgery, he's had intense pain in his forearm and hand. So bad that he has to take more pain meds than he'd like to ingest. He told my buddy that he would give every single dime away to get rid of the pain.

Kelli's dad had back surgery about 6 weeks ago. Shortly after his memory got fuzzy and eventually all he knew was his last name. His spinal fluid wasn't reabsorbing and he had major brain swelling. It almost killed him. They have installed a permanent shunt to drain it for the rest of his life. We are hoping he gets out of the hospital this week.

Surgery ONLY in mandatory situations.

[glassman]

I was curious about that. Strange huh?, we save for needing this for retirement yet if we just eat right, exercise moderately, and live stress free (stay outa debt y'all), we will need alot less medical attention.
I grew up in an Italian household, man were my relatives unhealthy. Obese, smokers, drinkers, most of them died off in their 50's. They didn't need healthcare, weird huh? But I dont wanna die in my 50's, i want to see my daughter walk down the aisle, see my grandchildre, know who they are....the things in life that are important....
But modern medicine just saved my 7 year old nephew's life.....

[Vegas69]

Absolutely, they work some serious miracles. :yes:

[Vegas69]

This may surprise you, it did me.
8tAAehC4BYs

[glassman]

So, here in the tri-valley, we had a couple of restraunts called "Stacey's", they were owned by the wife of the Dilbert comic creator and he wrote the menu. So there were comments next to each entree, on the spinach salad he commented, "yes, this is the same one Popeye ordered, and dont ever ask him why his forearms were so large" :lmao:

[Vegas69]

The China Study continued.......

It's common American philosophy not to trust our government to manage our economy, but have you ever considered that they may not have your best interest in mind in regards to NUTRITION?

What if I was to tell you that the individuals picked for the boards to make nutritional standards weren't highly educated on nutrition and had their pockets lined with special interest money?

It all comes back to greed. Huge players like the American Dairy Council/Beef Council/etc. hire scientists to come to conclusions that fit their business model. They influence boards with money and members.

Bottom line, what we have been programmed to believe is due to special interest, NOT what's best for your long term health.

Don't believe me, look around at the American public. The average American spends double of any other country on health care.

Which leads me to my next point. The medical field and it's problems. Has it ever occurred to you that the health care industry and pharmaceutical companies don't want you to be healthy? How do they earn a paycheck?

Have you considered that your doctor and a majority likely has less knowledge on nutrition than me? Nutrition is a very small part of their education. They are trained to diagnose and fix the problem, not prevent it. Has your doctor every mentioned nutrition? Very few practice this way. I suggest you find one that does.

As always, you have to accept 100% responsibility for your life. Never assume that the government or anybody else for that matter has your best interest in mind. Educate yourself and come to your own conclusion. I can tell you that I spent 35 years eating the typical American diet. I've spent just over a year constantly improving my nutrition. The difference I've experienced is monumental.

[Tony_SS]

Garlic and onions for the win!

Thanks for sharing Todd. Sounds like a GREAT book, all true too, in my research. The western diet is down right horrible for you. Industrialized, genetically modified all for addiction and profit.

And that is why nutrition is just like politics. There is so much special interest propaganda directed at you purely for the profit motive. What better way to get that done by going directly to the top, the federal govt to facilitate the process.

Got Milk? I'm very bothered by all of this propaganda in my kids' schools. Posters everywhere in the gym with milk mustaches. Give me a break! That crap was giving my kids chronic sinus and ear infections for years. Screw the dairy industry and pretty much any and all factory farming industry.

Also noted about healthcare being a huge killer. This is why buying organic is money well spent. Pay a little now, or a whole lot more later.

I'm still wheat/gluten free and dairy free and loving it. I'm down to 152 lbs. At 39 years old this is the best I've felt since high school.

Here's an interview done with the author of Wheat Belly.... let him tell you how bad modern wheat is for you.

dO-GHBF_Aio

BTW, I hope your father in law has a speedy recovery!

[Vegas69]

Tony, thanks for sharing that video. While I don't agree with it being the real cause of weight gain in America(Definite Contributor), the talk of the opiates derived from the amino acids in modern wheat is an eye opener! I have you to thank for changing my wheat intake. I've found a couple sources that I get a majority of my wheat from these days and they are both non GMO.

We eat Dave's killer bread: http://www.daveskillerbread.com/killer-bread/nutritional-comparison.html

For cereal and granola which I enjoy with fruits or almond milk I eat Nature's Path: http://us.naturespath.com/our-products?field_product_type_tid=5&field_special_diet_tid=All&field_superfood_ingredient_tid=All&field_new_value=All

When I eat at whole foods which is almost daily at lunch, I'll choose a rice or quinoa most days and avoid corn in my salad.

You nailed it with it's like politics. I always say it's just like religion and politics. Many, many wrong voices influenced by money or shooting from the hip. I was listening to a personal development CD today and he gave some good advice. You can listen to someone that has lost the weight and kept it off or professionals with the right ideals, but you need to ignore the fad dieters and those influenced by special interests. It has taken some serious study to get my nutrition and health on this level. This thread has some real life changing information.

Today, my financial advisor called to let me know that my results were back from my blood test and examination. The required it for the recent increase to my life insurance policy. He said I'm top tier. So high in fact, they wanted to offer me an additional $150,000. He said it's about 2% or 2 out of 100 that gets this offer from Northwestern mutual. :thumbsup:

Kelli's dad is out of the hospital and back to a pretty normal life. They ended up putting in a permanent shunt that drains to his abdomen. Thanks for asking...

[Tony_SS]

According to him, it's the Gliadin in the Wheat Gluten that's causing all the problems.

http://www.wheatbellyblog.com/2012/01/the-gliadin-effect/

So if Glidadin is still in "non-GMO" wheat, which I think it is, then it would still effect your body.

But, if I can remember correctly, GMO wheat has not been approved by the USDA. (like GMO corn has) So marketing a "GMO free" wheat might be sort of deceptive.

Just a couple of thoughts on the issue..

[Flash68]

Great news on the blood work and life insurance Todd. Nice when healthy decisions can literally reward you financially.

[Tony_SS]

And yeah, thanks for the reminder... I"m about to start biking to work so I better get my policy back in place! LOL

[Vegas69]

Great news on the blood work and life insurance Todd. Nice when healthy decisions can literally reward you financially.

That's a true statement and it goes well beyond life insurance. Energy is a major factor in success. So is image. Without sounding like a pompous asshole:lol: , I've had a bunch of clients tell me how good I look over the last year. My mentor Jim Rohn said, "Success is like butterflies, what you chase often eludes you. Success is attracted by the person you become." I didn't really have a firm grasp on this philosophy until I lived it. When you improve yourself mentally and physically, people take notice. They feel your energy, attitude, and intelligence.


Tony, I'll have to dig deeper into the wheat. My understanding was that the GMO wheat has different Amino Acids that cause depression and multiple other problems. Wheat may contribute to obesity but I can tell you for a fact, it doesn't effect my weight negatively.

[Vegas69]

bW2D5a7XL4c

[Tony_SS]

Tony, I'll have to dig deeper into the wheat. My understanding was that the GMO wheat has different Amino Acids that cause depression and multiple other problems. Wheat may contribute to obesity but I can tell you for a fact, it doesn't effect my weight negatively.

Yes the Gliadin in wheat is said to bind to the opiate receptors and cause all kinds of problems for autistic kids, or people with depression, bi-polar or other chemical imbalances.

My suspicion is all of that is an unintended side effect from the modification designed to increase appetite, much like high fructose corn syrup does. The more you eat it, more you crave those processed wheat/sugar foods.

When I stopped drinking soda, I stopped being hungry all the time. When I stopped eating wheat, I stop craving sweets. My wife did the same and we both had these results.

-----

Regarding processed foods, yes I agree they're very bad. But I'm not ready to throw meat under the bus. The meat our ancestors ate was very healthy because it was natural. Now there are all sorts of toxins involved in factory farming. This is where we are getting the disease, not the meat itself. The same goes with dairy.

This is very dry but explains what Weston Price discovered many years ago...he studied the diets of isolated tribes and villages from many cultured and noted what they ate. The healthiest ones ate natural meat, dairy and fermented grains. The others had a processed western diet and suffered from rotten teeth and disease.

b79YOawBg-U

[Vegas69]

52 Years of Age

Is said to be the age when the average man cements his own personal philosophy. What does that really mean? It's a sum of everything we've absorbed throughout our lives. The influences of our parents, teachers, friends, church, government, experiences, etc. Ultimately, it's what we decide to employ in our daily lives and accept as right or wrong.

One of the greatest challenges of life is determining who we really want to be and having the guts to puff out our chest and live that life. From the day we were born until today, all those external sources have tried to influence us to have their philosophy. In many cases, we had no choice but to accept that fate. While we rebelled at the start, over time it became a habit and part of our personal philosophy. Engrained in the way we think and act.

Self-abuse comes from self-rejection, and self-rejection comes from having and image of what it means to be perfect and never measuring up to that ideal. -Don Miguel Ruiz

Look around, how many are living their lives by comparing themselves to some imaginary American yard stick? For example, buying the biggest house, nicest car, designer clothes, that they can't afford.

Are the standards you've set for yourself from your own education and experience or is your current philosophy based on negative influence from the past?

My previous example was based on image but it runs much deeper. For example, one of my weaknesses is judging people and being way to critical of them and making assumptions. I know for a fact that it was ground into my brain through my childhood by my parents and society. While I pinpointed the problem say 6 months ago, I've spent 35 years thinking this way. It's certainly not who I WANT to be but the way we think takes time to change.

Just being ourselves is the biggest fear of humans-Don Miguel Ruiz

It's my opinion that we must welcome new experiences and continually feed our mind with new positive influence through education to cement our TRUE personal philosophy.

How many people do you know that graduated from high school and then college and thought they knew enough so they stopped learning?

What I've found on my personal development crusade(Estimating over 600 hours of study in just over a year) is that the things I once Hated I now Love, and what I once Loved I now Hate. Until you allow yourself to go outside your comfort zone through new experiences and study the wisdom of some of the pasts most influential and successful, maybe your life made up of standards set by society and past influences, GOOD or BAD.

The way we judge ourselves is the worst judge that ever existed-Don Miguel Ruiz

My mentor Jim Rohn said, "The way we feel about ourselves is one of the greatest challenges of life".

If you are living your life based on somebody else's standards, (Whether it's societies or personal influences) it could be one of your greatest sources of unhappiness.

It's crucial that we pinpoint our weaknesses and work on improving them. They are energy and attitude suckers.

I have an accountability partner that I meat with every month. Last month we decided to have those closest to us (Spouse, Parent, Employee, Eachother) make a list of our 3 greatest strengths and two constructive criticisms. It was very interesting to see myself from outside the picture frame. I can honestly say that there were positive and negatives that I wouldn't have thought in a million years. However, once I thought about it I realized that they had me nailed. I never saw myself as having a great attitude. On the flip side, I didn't see myself as rigid either. I highly recommend this exercise.

Bottom line, weave the greatest personal philosophy you can create. Pinpoint your weaknesses and work on them constantly. It will have a great effect on the trajectory of your life and ultimately, how happy you can be.

[Tony_SS]

My weakness is being negative. It's as simple as that. When I just made a conscious effort to discover silver linings, and just focus on positive aspects of my life, it made a difference in my happiness. It also showed me how negative some others were around me, that I had never noticed, because I was in that same mindset. It's so cliche, but since it's always been my biggest weakness, it was hard to see that.

My new favorite response to negativity? First world problems. We have it pretty good here, and most of our stress is nothing compared to how other people live in the world, or how our ancestors lived.

[Vegas69]

That's a big one Tony. As Jim Rohn said, There has never been a better wind in 6,000 years than we have today. It's all perception.

That's why philosophy is so important. It dictates how you think. How you think is the biggest factor in how your life turns out. It's also a huge challenge to beat negativity into a small corner. Pinpointing your weaknesses through personal development and developing new philosophies is how you become a better person. It's made a HUGE difference in my life.

[Vegas69]

Your taste and desire for food changes with diet.

I can tell you this is a fact. When I originally changed my nutrition, good foods actually started to taste, good. As I progressed the foods I used to crave now gave way to healthier options. I've now went off the deep end. :lol:

The key is to give it a chance. A few weeks minimum. It also takes time to learn how to prepare healthier options. One of the best ways to prepare vegetables is on a cookie sheet with olive oil and spices. 45-60 minutes and you have great vegetables. Onions, Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Beets, Cauliflower, etc.

1AfWRfyDHw8

[Tony_SS]

Yup. Junk food is like an addictive drug..once you get off, you crave real food.

I went to super Walmart last night..it was like stepping into the Matrix...all the wheat/sugar/processed oil products. Everywhere was just the same combination of a wheat/sugar product in different packaging.

[Vegas69]

I understand why the markets are stuffed full of processed foods and there is a fast food restaurant on every corner. Americans are short on time and there is serious demand for food with our world population. Health has moved down the line in order of importance. "I don't have time to educate myself, eat healthy, or exercise."

You can't afford not to MAKE the time to take care of yourself. There is nothing more important. Without your health you can't take care of yourself, let alone your family.

I tend to get a little aggressive with these posts but I'm trying to motivate people to buy what I'm selling. I know what a profound difference it's made in my life. I'm very passionate about it.

Tony, I know it has in your life as well.

If we motivate one to change their lives, it will be worth the effort.

[RussMurco]

I've read this thread several times and not responded, but now might be a good time too...

I'm 47, 5'11", and recently weighed in at an all time high of 275 pounds. I have been blessed with and enjoyed excellent health all my life despite being a smoker and being overweight. Things needed to change and I started on both issues 2 weeks ago.

I immediately cut out sodas, I'm feeling a dramatic change from that already. I'm down to 8-10 smokes a day, I should be completely free of them late next week. I've cut out the starches, fructose, and processed foods out of my diet and feel far better already and I've already lost 7 pounds in 2 weeks.

When I was a Marine 20 years ago I was in great shape but a GSW to my right knee made running long distance (my favorite exercise) almost impossible. I tried to counter the loss of running with weight training but it never seemed to maintain my condition like running did so I started gaining weight. By 2000 I had gone from 175 when discharged to 210 and I continued to slowly gain weight until 2008 when my wife passed away. I had stayed around 240 for the 2 years prior but dropped back to 225 after her loss, mostly because I didn't have a beautiful Italian woman pushing pasta on me all the time.

Moving to Minnesota, the land of starches, and having 2 teen-age boys in the house has made the weight come rushing back in a "big" way until I hit the shocking number - 275!

Several things have motivated me recently - health in general, wanting to see these boys grow up, wanting to be healthy and energetic again, and wanting to look at pictures of myself without being shocked. Another motivator that I didn't expect was driving a road course. I hadn't done so in 6-7 years and when I did I realized just how much more strain it put on my body with the extra weight. Holy crap, it wore me out after 5-6 laps!

My Firebird is going to take about 2 years to complete and now as I build it I'm going to rebuild my body so I can enjoy it once complete! Getting down to 175-180 is where I want to be and of course, smoke free. I will post updates as I go along!

[Vegas69]

Russ, I'm glad you woke up and smelled the coffee.:) Life's greatest motivator is WHY. I can't think of a better reason that for your kids. One of the best things you can do for them is to improve yourself. After all, you lead by example.

Do yourself a favor and start studying nutrition as it makes the biggest difference. You can workout 10 hours a week and blow it with your diet. The key is a lifestyle change. Embrace new healthy foods and learn how to prepare them properly. Grab a vegetarian cookbook to help. Get your family on board. If your Wife wants to lose a few pounds, set goals together and reward each other at milestones.

These are my two favorite books:
http://www.amazon.com/Live-Young-Forever-Optimum-Longevity/dp/1552100642/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1379737138&sr=8-2&keywords=jack+lalanne
http://www.amazon.com/The-China-Study-Comprehensive-Implications/dp/1932100660/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1379737164&sr=8-1&keywords=china+study

Remember, it won't be easy to break the chains of those old habits. A bad habit must be replaced with a good habit. An alcoholic that went to the bar every night for 20 years can't suddenly stay home and do nothing. It will lead back to the same old road.

You can count on us to be your accountability partner. Check in and let us know your progression and what you've learned.

[Vegas69]

The subject of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO's) really gets my blood boiling. Greed has changed the foods we all consume by genetically modifying the seed that is used by a majority of farmers. It's a real problem because it's far more wide spread than you think. For instance, the livestock eats the GMO corn or hay and now your meat is genetically modified. How about the milk or cheese from the cows? How about the oil you use to cook with? Think you are doing yourself a favor eating Soy? The farm raised salmon is fed GMO feed. The salad dressing you eat is made from GMO oils. It's in 80% of processed foods!

Bottom line for me, I'll eat my food how GOD created it. Not how some greedy corporations and their puppets decided to make it. The more I learn about nutrition, the scarier it gets.

To avoid GMO's, buy food with these two labels. http://gmoawareness.org/buy-non-gmo/

Do your family a favor and watch this video.

TB5EBFUwaw0

[FETorino]

Ever read the book they made the movie from? The Informant by journalist Kurt Eichenwald.:wow:

While they poison you they also gouge you at the cash register.

:cheers:

[glassman]

Todd, did we discuss here about "farm fed" salmon? How they contain NO omega 3...only the wild ones do.....

Mike

[Vegas69]

Ever read the book they made the movie from? The Informant by journalist Kurt Eichenwald.:wow:

While they poison you they also gouge you at the cash register.

:cheers:

I haven't but it looks interesting. I'm not sure I even want to know. :lol:

Todd, did we discuss here about "farm fed" salmon? How they contain NO omega 3...only the wild ones do.....

Mike

Mike, I'm not seeing that they have NO Omega 3's, just reduced levels. Recently, I've heard that the nuclear spill in Japan has polluted some of the Pacific fish including Salmon. From the bottom of the food chain all the way to the top.

I take an Omega 3 everyday and it has increased my HDL(Good Cholesterol) over the last 6-8 months.

I must say that it's nearly impossible to avoid consuming foods with misc. ingredients that are not in our best interest if you eat out or don't watch labels really closely.

We aren't going to get out of this life alive, the whole premise is to make better nutritional decisions daily based on education. Nutrition is a complicated maze of information.

It goes back to one basic fundamental. A whole food, plant based diet that man hasn't meddled with in a laboratory. If you can't pronounce it or have no clue what it is, that's your first clue that it's not ideal for consumption. I'm certainly not against eating meat, I do now believe that it should be a minority of the diet, not majority.

[Tony_SS]

My best advice to anyone is to eat single ingredient foods. But even that has it's disclaimers. *corn, GMO, etc. So we really have to wake up to all this modified stuff. The long term dangers aren't known, but we do know that the way wheat has been modified is that it's not in the consumers best interests. I think we can deduct the same reasoning from all GMOs.

Personal update for me. I've put away all my 34" pants. Too big. I broke out my 32" ones from almost 10 years ago and they are loose. I'm down to 149lbs just on eating a healthy diet.

Any new food/products people want to share? I've heard good things about Hemp protein/oil/seeds etc.

I've read this thread several times and not responded, but now might be a good time too...


Welcome Russ... good luck on your journey. Let us know how it goes. Forget excercise (for now) and get your diet in check. You will loose lbs fast. My advice is to stop eating any and all wheat and sugar based products.

[Vegas69]

Way to go Tony! You better start pumping some weights. :D

Heart disease has always been thought to be a mid to late life problem in American society. The truth is that it starts in childhood. It simply catches up to people in mid to late life in most cases.

The good news is that our kids don't have to suffer the same fate by changing their habits while they are impressionable. It's also been proven that the body can actually clean out it's own arteries after 2-3 years of a plant based diet.

AkWd0R05ZEs

[Tony_SS]

I was waaaaay to into lifting... had a pic of Ahhhnold up on my mirror. LOL.

I would ride my bike to work but I have to drop my daughter off and haul stuff. That's my excuse. I may try some crossfit one day....

Re: Heart disease, I'm convinced it's all the process hydrogenated oils in our body..yes kids get plenty of that. Increase in heart disease took off with margarine use... no coincidence there. We never had that problem in our history when ate real butter. Butter is said to be an antioxidant and cleanser too... butter and olive oil.

On another note we started washing all our fruits and veggies in a sink of water and white or apple cider vinegar. You should see the water after they soak.. yuck! But we are eating clean foods..no pesticides if we can help it.

[glassman]

So Tony, thats interesting about "what to wash them with" , water or vinegar? cause i've never heard of the vinegar one before.....

[Tony_SS]

Vinegar is amazing..... take the worst rusted piece of metal you can find, let it soak in apple cider vinegar for 24hrs and you will be amazed at how clean the parts come out.

Soak all your produce in a sink full of water and 1 cup of vinegar, apple cider or white and they'll be super clean and ready to eat in an 15 mins.

http://dontwastethecrumbs.com/2013/04/how-to-clean-produce-naturally-using-apple-cider-vinegar/

[Vegas69]

I always talk about how great healthy food can taste. Kelli knocked it clean out of the park tonight. It may surprise you.

Quinoa Concoction

1/2 cup quinoa
1 1/2 cups of vegetable broth
1 tsp of extra virgin olive oil
1 head of broccoli
1 can of kidney beans
1/2 white onion
1 tomato
Garlic powder
Chives
Marjoram(Seasoning)
Basil
Thyme
Celery salt
Kosher salt
Black Pepper

I'm estimating 600 calories and a nice balance of protein and carbs. Fiber is off the charts. I'll eat a healthy desert to get my calories closer to 900 tonight.
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa251/Payback1969/QuinoaCalories3_zpsc86890ba.jpg (http://s200.photobucket.com/user/Payback1969/media/QuinoaCalories3_zpsc86890ba.jpg.html)

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa251/Payback1969/Quinoa_zps75fb1f51.jpg (http://s200.photobucket.com/user/Payback1969/media/Quinoa_zps75fb1f51.jpg.html)

[Flash68]

I enjoy some tasty quinoa occasionally... you married well. :D

[Vegas69]

You're damn right. :lol:

[Tony_SS]

I just survived a house full of strep throat..not sure HOW I managed to do that, but I think a few things helped.

One being I supplemented zinc twice a day after breakfast and dinner and 2nd, I ate raw onions, which pretty much will kill any living thing in my throat and sinuses. Not sure if those were the silver bullets, but coming out clean of a house filled with 2 snotty kids and wife is something I have to brag about.

:relax:

Winter regimen: Onions, vinegar and zinc. The kids love to bring home germs from public school.

[Vegas69]

Yesterday was quite possibly the best I've felt in my entire life. Just buzzing with energy from bell to bell. I've been working on my health constantly for over a year now and want to share all the major factors I feel contributed.

Education-I've read well over 1,000 pages on health and nutrition.

Drastic weight loss-Over 30 lbs

Alcohol intake-Drastic reduction

Consistent exercise-At least 4 times per week/high intensity

Medical-Supplemented to fix B12 deficiency and low HDL(Confirmed results through blood test) Take oral B12 and fish oil daily.

Went to my 3rd ENT and finally have a nose spray that works. Breathing better than I have in a looong time. Helping with sleep and exercise. Had 90% blockage upon seeing my current ENT. Down to 70% and improving. Looks like I will avoid surgery.

Probiotics-Take 50 billion good bacteria per day. I have suffered from chronic constipation most of my life. I haven't needed a laxative since I started a real probiotic. (Foods don't contain enough)

Nutrition-I started out with Jack Lalanne ideals and have branched off based on research and how I feel. I stay away from dairy as much as possible. I eat no high fructose corn syrup if I can help it. I stay away from GMO's if at all possible. I eat very little meat. Two to three times a week.

To sum it up, it's been a constant progression towards a whole food, plant based diet. (Lot's of vegetable, fruits, beans, Non gmo wheat, nuts, quinoa, hummus)

My Wife is on board and shops with these ideals and cooks meals that will knock your socks off.

Supplements-(In addition to above)All I take is a green drink called Green Vibrance. It's loaded with vegetables and herbs. My body really reacts well to it. http://www.amazon.com/Vibrant-Health-Vibrance-Supply-35-27oz/dp/B0054RQDCS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1380518904&sr=8-2&keywords=green+vibrance

I've fought really hard to get to this point. There has been a bunch of trial and error along the way. I think it's important to point out that there is health AND fitness. You can be fit and not feel great and vice versus. I speak from experience.

Then, you can be fit and healthy and have a rotten mind. To be honest, I'm not sure how healthy you can really be if you aren't mentally fit. The mind and body work in unison. I've worked harder on my mind than I have my health and fitness. Over 30 books, dozens of cd's, two journals, notebook full of ideas, accountability meetings, coaching, and on down the line. I've quit watching news and made new positive friendships. I've went outside my comfort zone and tried new things that I thoroughly enjoyed. I've nailed down my inherit weaknesses that effect my attitude and continually work on them. I set real goals at work and home and Kelli and I have combined goals. (Where we want to travel, how much retirement income/net worth, where we want to live, etc) Nailed down what really pulls me to get out of bed and suck it up everyday. WHY Come up with your 5 most important reasons.

I'm sure you are thinking, that's a hell of a lot of work and I don't need to change this much. We can all improve and it really all starts with a new habit like an apple a day or reading before bed, listening to a cd on the way to work. You keep adding bricks to the stack every day. Doing the uncomfortable until it becomes comfortable. I've probably done 10 years worth of changing in a little over a year.

What I once loved, I now hate, what I once hated, I now love. My old bad habits have been replaced by good disciplines that have now become like brushing me teeth. It's been a fun ride and I'm not looking back. I've got a lot to learn and places to go.

I'm a firm believer that if you want a better life, you must become a better person.

[GregWeld]

WOW!


That's change you can hang your hat on!

[Vegas69]

Thanks buddy. :cheers: I feel like I have built a solid foundation for the new plane my life is on.

If I had to pick the top 5 for each category right now:

Health:
1. Education
2. Whole Food/Plant Based Diet
3. Work out routine
4. Probiotics
5. Green Drink

Mental:
1. Realizing I had to take 100% responsibility for my future and circumstances. That I had to improve myself to improve my life and my life would improve to the degree I improved myself. (Not wait for external influences to change like the economy, friends, taxes, president, market, etc)
2. Spending 1 hour a day on personal development. Feeding my mind with positive influence. (Books, CD's, Positive Friends, Etc)
3. Setting long term goals that pull me into the future. Nailing down the 5 top reasons to get out of bed and fight adversity everyday.
4. Real reflection and realizing where I wasn't doing my best and making the adjustments. Your subconscience has a way of knowing when you can't put your finger on it. (I was lacking in many areas but my business was the major)
5. How I feel about myself and others. Not being so critical of myself and not making negative judgments and assumptions on others.

I could go on for days on the Mental side but these come to mind right now. It all comes down to a change of perspective and a refined positive attitude. The personal development gives your mind new information to process which leads to better attitudes, then focused action that leads to desired results and ultimately, great lifestyle.

[Vegas69]

The three cornerstones of an Ambitious life:

Focus:
Be wherever you are. If you are at work, work and vice versa. Scheme and have a game plan for success. Do your best. Grow, adapt, and change with progression.

Resilience:
Once you've found your focus, there will be off days and unanticipated challenges. How bad do you want it? What's pulling you? These are the days where personal development makes the greatest difference. How fast can you turn your attitude around and get back on plane working towards your goals?

Integrity:
The other two mean little and will blow up in your face if you aren't living a life of service to others. Don't sell your soul to get what you want. Living a life of integrity means doing the right thing at the right time. Not making promises you don't intend to keep. Always doing more than you get paid for.

Have a great day....

[mdprovee]

Very well said Todd.

Thanks

[Vegas69]

Thanks Mike....:flag2:

Winning the war between your ears

I think it's life's greatest challenge. It's certainly one of the biggest factors in leading a life of prosperity. No matter how great your faith may be or how positive your influences become, negativity will creep in and fight for territory.

To a certain degree, you must experience the bad to appreciate the good. Without failure, would there be success? Without night, would there be light? Without heartbreak, would there be jubilee? It's the twin scenario of life. You must drink from both cups.

A book I'm currently reading based on the Toltec philosophy states that the highest conscience is being your true self and finding inner peace. A place where nothing nudges you off course. Where negativity is virtually extinct. You WIN the war in your head.

It's an interesting perspective on life. I'm just not sure it's realistic. What I do think is realistic is the amount of time you spend on the downside of the slope and how effectively you can win the battle between your ears.

There are countless variables that effect the way we think. Having purpose and faith are certainly high on the list. The way you feel about yourself and everybody around you rank high as well. The food you feed your mind on a daily basis through positive influence makes a great difference. Doing your best no matter what the circumstance. Helping others achieve success and growth ultimately leaves you as the greatest benefactor. Achieving the greatest health certainly makes a great difference. I could go on for days but you catch my drift.

At the end of the day, it's an accumulation of new perspective and consciousness progressing towards the strongest mind you can achieve in your lifetime. Maybe I'm wrong and I hope I am, maybe you can achieve inner peace and what the Toltec consider Heaven on Earth.

[legend]

http://www.bmj.com/content/347/bmj.f6340 great article debunking the fat is bad myth

[glassman]

Hey Todd, so i thought you had the diviated septum surgery? No? well im glad you found a nose spray that works. Can you elaborate? ( i know that only certain "potions" only work on certain people) but this news encourages me.

thanx, Mike

[Vegas69]

http://www.bmj.com/content/347/bmj.f6340 great article debunking the fat is bad myth

I didn't read the entire article but I think it goes back to balance in your diet. Saturated fat raises your HDL (Good Cholesterol) and LDL (Bad Cholesterol) at the same time. If your blood work proves your Cholesterol levels to be on the low side of the range, you will be just fine.

Where I disagree is with the philosophy that to much saturated fat is not a health concern. It goes well beyond heart disease.

Hey Todd, so i thought you had the diviated septum surgery? No? well im glad you found a nose spray that works. Can you elaborate? ( i know that only certain "potions" only work on certain people) but this news encourages me.

thanx, Mike

Mike, I was scheduled and the doctor set my sirens off. I got a 2nd opinion and it saved me from getting butchered. I'm at about 70% blockage now which isn't great but my new doctor isn't recommending surgery. I use Zetona but it hasn't worked as well since I've quit taking an allergy pill for congestion. Still, my nose is better than it's been in a long time.

[Vegas69]

The number one cancer for men in America: Prostate Cancer

I've seen statistics that state we have a 50% chance of contracting this cancer in our lifetime. Seems pretty excessive?

http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/dcpc/data/men.htm

While it's true that their are genetic factors that make it more likely for you personally, studies have found that lifestyle and diet are also factors. Factors that may prevent cancer all together.

When you look around at American society and the alarming number of overweight or obese men which is from poor nutrition and health habits, it's makes you wonder how large this roll plays?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQJMBMuIUqU&feature=share&list=PL5TLzNi5fYd9qfRHPw-XdyLz-rbW7-k3n

[Stuart Adams]

Carbs and Sugar are the devil. Fat for the most part are better than u think. Read the book Grain Brain.

Cholesterol is needed for brain health and LDL is needed to transport cholesterol to your brain.

If you guys want to reduce your risk of Alzheimers and diabetes, protein and more fat, less cards and sugar including fruit sugar.

Heart disease is about inflamation in your body, not cholesterol.

Sugar creates inflamation.

[Stuart Adams]

People gain weight from carbs, sugar, gluten and not fat in their diets. Cutting out fat makes it worse, because you fill the void with carbs and fruit sugars.

The more insulin in your system from sugar causes the body to store fat.

That in turn causes inflamation in your body which creates many diseases and sickness.

There is a huge correlation between diabetes and Alzheimers at an alarming rate.

I think we would all agree that loosing your brain function is the scariest thing.

[Vegas69]

Good morning Stuart, Nice to see you participating.

Our bodies make Cholesterol naturally as it is vital to body function. That's why two people with a similar diet can have vastly different levels of Cholesterol. In the China Study, they found those with the lowest levels of Cholesterol (Many below US standards) to have the least amount of Western diseases.

In regards to fats, we need them for energy production and body functions. It's been proven that a diet high in fat vs. low in fat doesn't make a substantial difference in weight gain. It does make some difference.

There are 4 main fats: Trans, Saturated, Monounsaturated, Polyunsaturated

Trans: Many fried foods and processed foods.

Saturated: Animals products and very few plant based foods.

Monounsaturated: Olive oil, Avocado

Polyunsaturated: Fish oil

It can't be disputed that Trans fats are 100% BAD. Animal fats have a higher tendency of disease than plant based.

The major problem with sugar is refined foods in this country. It's also soda. High fructose corn syrup has ramped up this epidemic dramatically. Oh yeah, a majority of corn is a GMO from Monsanto. That means you soda and processed foods are a double whammy, processed and genetically modified. Refined foods are a triple whammy in many instances. Trans fat, high fructose corn syrup, and genetically modified! And we wonder why Americans are so unhealthy!

My argument against fruit consumption being a health problem is two fold. Fruits are low on the glycemic index which is the tendency for a rise in blood sugar. Also, how many people do you know that eat to much fruit vs. to many sodas or twinkies?

I could go on for days. My studies and how I feel have led me to a whole food/plant based diet for the majority and animal based for a minority.

I'd like to add to my Prostate Cancer post from last night that I've seen over and over that Dairy is the largest dietary negative for prostate cancer due to the high amount of calcium. Look at the studies or pick up your multi vitamin and look at the ingredients. A majority of men's multi's have very little calcium.

Have a great day....

[SSLance]

Wow, very interesting thread. It is pretty cool to see a bunch of "car guys" talking about eating and living healthy.

My deal started a little over 2 years ago now. I was 45 years old, 6'0" and weighed about 180 pounds, pretty healthy I thought, just a little bit of a spare tire forming. Went for my annual physical, nailed the EKG, Stress test, everything looked good...until the blood work came back.

July 2011
Cholesterol 179
HDL Direct 32
Triglyceride 191
LDL Calculated 109

The Doc was mainly concerned about my Triglyceride levels, wanted to put me on a Statin. I refused and started a workout regimen, 30 minutes on treadmill 5 days a week, started drinking 8 oz of Grape juice a day (to raise good cholesterol) and taking an Omega supplement once a day.


Went back for more blood work in Oct 2011
Cholesterol 218
HDL Direct 29
Non-HDL Cholesterol 199
Triglyceride 195
LDL Calculated 150

This pissed me off enough that I stopped working out (aggravating knee trouble contributed as well), but continued with grape juice and omega supplement.


In Jan 2013 went back for more blood work
Cholesterol 243
HDL Direct 34
Non-HDL Cholesterol 209
Triglyceride 291
LDL Calculated 151

Again, the doc stressed that I need to be on a Statin, diagnosed me as "pre-diabetic". Well, just about everyone in my family has been diagnosed as "pre-diabetic" at one time or another due to Triglyceride levels, yet none of them have developed actual heart disease.

The wife and I sat down and decided to change the way we live, drastically. First although we thought that we ate pretty healthy, we reevaluated everything we consume and took out anything that would be considered "processed food". We committed to a fresh fruit, fresh vegetable and sensible protein diet, morning noon and night. We learned about better fish to eat, not just any fish, we learned about adding almonds to the mix, we learned ways of cooking food in a healthier manner. And the wife quit her high stress job and took some time off to just chill and spend a lot of time running to the grocery store for fresh food and making my lunches for me. I've always packed a lunch, but now my lunches have bags of carrots, cut fresh green peppers, nuts, and a light sammich in them instead of jello pudding, applesauce, and cookies along with a big ol honking sammich in there.

We also researched omegas...and learned a TON. I'm convinced the Omega supplement I was taking was wreaking havoc with my system. We found a supplement that was better fit and I started taking it once a day and I quit the grape juice

It's a life change for sure, but one for the better. I lost close to 10 pounds pretty quickly, lost about an inch off my waist and my spare tire went away...and I was eating MORE than I was before portion size, meaning I wasn't starving myself to do this. After 3 months I went back in for more blood work.

May 2013
Cholesterol 211
HDL Direct 29
Triglyceride 184 (the big one)
LDL Calculated 145

Ir was unbelievable to me that just a strict dietary change could lower my Triglyceride level over 100 points in a 3 month period.

You'll never guess what the doc said... "you still need to start taking a statin..." I just glared at her and she understood.

Anyway, it's 5 or 6 months later now, we are still on the "healthy eating kick", weight has stayed right at 170#s or so, feel great and I haven't been back for any more blood work. I wear a fitbit to track my footsteps per day, and try to keep as active as I can, but I don't see me becoming any sort of a workout warrior. My schedule and sore knees just don't fit into that plan. But I like the healthy living and seriously...it is becoming more and more regular all of the time and hopefully society as a whole will head further down this road which will just give us more and more good choices of food instead of more of the crap that is in the center sections of the grocery stores.

[Stuart Adams]

Good for you. Statins are terrible drugs. Find a new doctor.

[Stuart Adams]

We have been brainwashed by these low fat diets.

Eat good fats and keep sugar/ carbs way down and you will see vast changes in not only how you feel but reduce your chance of disease and sickness.

The game is changing fellas.

What is interesting is as we have been brainwashed that fat is bad we have been making diabetes, Alzheimer's, and obesity skyrocket at alarming rates. The body needs good fats and the brain is mostly fat and relies on cholesterol for normal nerve function.

[GregWeld]

I work out with a pro trainer 3 days a week - one hour each day - he kicks my arse…


So…. since my arteries are fine - ZERO hard plaque via a heart scan -- I decided I didn't need statins… since I was in the 100 range.

3 months later after a blood draw -- I'm DOUBLE THAT. I say WTF to the Doc… who tells me -- Tough titty… some peoples DNA is just that way. Get over it.

[SSLance]

#1 I don't trust the damn lipid panel tests

#2 I don't trust the damn pill pushing docs

Going to the Doctor for a lot of folks is kin to a sweet innocent girl taking her car to a dealership for some recommended service and trusting everything the Service rep says just because he is supposed to know what is best.

We learned this mainly while taking care of my wife's Grandmother in the later years of her life. One HAS to take control of your own health, you press the Doctor if you don't like their answer, you question their actions, if you really don't like their diagnosis, get a second opinion, remember, they work for you, not the other way around.

My wife weighs around 110#s, her Cholesterol number came back at 243 about the same time mine was at it's highest... Her doctor never even mentioned her taking a statin.

[Twoblackmarks...]

I dont think you should should "bash" carbohydrates that much.

The body need all Three, Fat, Proteins and Carbs.

Carbs are a very good energy Source With the right type, and fast carbs that increase insulin is not that bad always.

Even though insulin increases fat Storage, it also is an anabolic hormone (rebuilding) and increases the bodys way of "digesting" or faster/better use of nutrition. It speeds up the use of other nutrition too

A good example is after training, and some in the breakfast. For those two times the body needs fast nutrition, especially after training of course. But not doughnut type of course :D All other times, slow. Basically

Proteins are a poor energy Source, and fat, while a good energy Source, the body does not have it readily available, since it is in "Storage", the body must go through a process to get it. It does not always have the time to do that. (Like you burn fat when walking, and carbs when sprinting)

While carbs are more readily available, if the the body needs them NOW! :D

I am not saying this is Perfect or more right, but if you are active and such, carbs are good, if you do less and not very active, then you can go very low on carbs. But then you also need less fat.

I like to see it as a house being buildt.

The Protein are the material to build walls and New rooms. Too few will not get stuff done, more than you need is better there.

The Carbohydrates are the workers - To few, slow or ineffective building, to many workers and it gets messy and crowded With most sitting around and getting lazy. :P

The fat are more like the Tools, lubricants and keep the workers happy and is an reserve Source. -Sort of

Insuline is then an sort of boost to the house building, but you cant boost all the time. :) But if planned correctly, boosting Works. (after training or?)

And fatty acids are extremely important, because it Controls and regulate all the hormones in the body, so Liquid omega 2-3 times a day does much, especially to a poor Fish eater, but Fish in Food is still noe enough, in my opinion. That also helps stabilizing for example insulin better. I think it is better to drink much omega 3-6-9 and eat somewhat less fat, good fat in regular diet is not so easy to acomplish, for me atleast.

If you think I am wrong, please say so/discuss, I am not an expert, but think about it, and dont believe blindly/to much of what "Professionals" say, and me for that matter ;) But People are somewhat different, find some sort of middle road that you like that Works for you anyway.

And carbs are a good energy Source! It is like Race Fuel, you can run more compression and more advance on it ;)

[Tony_SS]

Get your Fats Straight
http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/get-your-fats-straight-my-journey-to-get-it-right/

No, carbs in the form of grains is one of the worst things you can put in your body. Again, most all carbs, like wheat are a modern poisen. They have been genetically modified with a new protein (Gildan) designed to make you fat and sick. Period.

The only good grains are organic fermented grains. Forget everything else.

I'm still rockin' the Paleo diet, 148lbs still, down from 175. Still eathing raw organic meats and veggies as much as I can. I've made great friends with the farmers at the market.

Local REAL honey is antibacterial. Raw milk is a great probiotic. Organic veggies, and something Never mentioned here (I think) homemade SOAP! STOP putting these petro chemicals into your body in the form of shampoo's, bar soap and deodorant.

I've converted my wife, she has lost 44lbs so far too.

Yes we've been lied to.. "Eat low fat," they said. No Butter they said. Use margarine they said". It's all BS. Never trust a doctors word either, lots are pill pushers getting kickbacks. Yes, my pharmacist ratted out some here in town.

Let food be your medicine. Don't trust cheap, rancid supplements either, they are heavily processed (some).

Cheers to good health.

[Twoblackmarks...]

Who eats wheat? That is something you eat for dessert, after you have eaten real Food, or only sometimes to eat something thats more yummy.


And I think the farming in US cant compare to Norway, ALL we eat is from local farms, so it may be hard to to compare to a big "industry" land like US. If I buy something imported it is almost always junk. -But much cheaper....

But to say ALL grains are bad is somewhat like saying all foreigners are bad because one are bad.

Wheat vs Oats, Rye, Barley?


And you can ask 5 different so-called experts and get 5 different answers on low fat vs no carb and such. The body wants all of them in some way or another. And it Depends a lot on what you do, are you a pencil pusher With TV as hobby, or an Olympic medalist in skiing.

It is as easy as:
You become what you put in Your mouth, put in junk -become junk. :)

[Vegas69]

Wow, very interesting thread. It is pretty cool to see a bunch of "car guys" talking about eating and living healthy.

My deal started a little over 2 years ago now. I was 45 years old, 6'0" and weighed about 180 pounds, pretty healthy I thought, just a little bit of a spare tire forming. Went for my annual physical, nailed the EKG, Stress test, everything looked good...until the blood work came back.

July 2011
Cholesterol 179
HDL Direct 32
Triglyceride 191
LDL Calculated 109

The Doc was mainly concerned about my Triglyceride levels, wanted to put me on a Statin. I refused and started a workout regimen, 30 minutes on treadmill 5 days a week, started drinking 8 oz of Grape juice a day (to raise good cholesterol) and taking an Omega supplement once a day.


Went back for more blood work in Oct 2011
Cholesterol 218
HDL Direct 29
Non-HDL Cholesterol 199
Triglyceride 195
LDL Calculated 150

This pissed me off enough that I stopped working out (aggravating knee trouble contributed as well), but continued with grape juice and omega supplement.


In Jan 2013 went back for more blood work
Cholesterol 243
HDL Direct 34
Non-HDL Cholesterol 209
Triglyceride 291
LDL Calculated 151

Again, the doc stressed that I need to be on a Statin, diagnosed me as "pre-diabetic". Well, just about everyone in my family has been diagnosed as "pre-diabetic" at one time or another due to Triglyceride levels, yet none of them have developed actual heart disease.

The wife and I sat down and decided to change the way we live, drastically. First although we thought that we ate pretty healthy, we reevaluated everything we consume and took out anything that would be considered "processed food". We committed to a fresh fruit, fresh vegetable and sensible protein diet, morning noon and night. We learned about better fish to eat, not just any fish, we learned about adding almonds to the mix, we learned ways of cooking food in a healthier manner. And the wife quit her high stress job and took some time off to just chill and spend a lot of time running to the grocery store for fresh food and making my lunches for me. I've always packed a lunch, but now my lunches have bags of carrots, cut fresh green peppers, nuts, and a light sammich in them instead of jello pudding, applesauce, and cookies along with a big ol honking sammich in there.

We also researched omegas...and learned a TON. I'm convinced the Omega supplement I was taking was wreaking havoc with my system. We found a supplement that was better fit and I started taking it once a day and I quit the grape juice

It's a life change for sure, but one for the better. I lost close to 10 pounds pretty quickly, lost about an inch off my waist and my spare tire went away...and I was eating MORE than I was before portion size, meaning I wasn't starving myself to do this. After 3 months I went back in for more blood work.

May 2013
Cholesterol 211
HDL Direct 29
Triglyceride 184 (the big one)
LDL Calculated 145

Ir was unbelievable to me that just a strict dietary change could lower my Triglyceride level over 100 points in a 3 month period.

You'll never guess what the doc said... "you still need to start taking a statin..." I just glared at her and she understood.

Anyway, it's 5 or 6 months later now, we are still on the "healthy eating kick", weight has stayed right at 170#s or so, feel great and I haven't been back for any more blood work. I wear a fitbit to track my footsteps per day, and try to keep as active as I can, but I don't see me becoming any sort of a workout warrior. My schedule and sore knees just don't fit into that plan. But I like the healthy living and seriously...it is becoming more and more regular all of the time and hopefully society as a whole will head further down this road which will just give us more and more good choices of food instead of more of the crap that is in the center sections of the grocery stores.

Lance, way to go! It's good to see that you took responsibility and didn't automatically trust your doctor. Doctors are great at treating the symptoms, not changing your lifestyle. I have become friends with a family practice doctor that I respect. His first order of business is always lifestyle change. In doctors defense, many don't want to change, they want to pop a pill. The other side of it is it's much less profitable for a doctor to change lifestyle. My friend is getting ready to open a wellness center as part of his practice which I think is fantastic.

I challenge you to drop the health kick language and call it a lifestyle change. Keep educating yourself and trying new things. Nutrition has made such a profound difference in my life. It's always evolving. :thumbsup:

[Vegas69]

One thing I have found since I started down this road is that nutrition is much like religion or politics. Everybody thinks they are right. :D In many cases they are right. It's important to experiment and find what works for you personally. We all have inherit strengths and weaknesses within our systems. Moral of the story, there is no one size fits all.

It really comes down to this:

How do you feel?
How do you look?
What do the numbers tell you? (Scale, Blood Work, Resting Heart Rate, Blood Pressure, EKG, Etc)

Another thing I've learned here is to have an open mind. Tony talked me into diminishing my dairy intake which I'm glad I did. I still like my non GMO wheat. :)

[Stuart Adams]

Health is the most important thing for sure. Good topic. Todd, glad your doing well.

If money can fix it its not a problem, when it can't means trouble.

[Vegas69]

Get your Fats Straight
http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/get-your-fats-straight-my-journey-to-get-it-right/

No, carbs in the form of grains is one of the worst things you can put in your body. Again, most all carbs, like wheat are a modern poisen. They have been genetically modified with a new protein (Gildan) designed to make you fat and sick. Period.

The only good grains are organic fermented grains. Forget everything else.

I'm still rockin' the Paleo diet, 148lbs still, down from 175. Still eathing raw organic meats and veggies as much as I can. I've made great friends with the farmers at the market.

Local REAL honey is antibacterial. Raw milk is a great probiotic. Organic veggies, and something Never mentioned here (I think) homemade SOAP! STOP putting these petro chemicals into your body in the form of shampoo's, bar soap and deodorant.

I've converted my wife, she has lost 44lbs so far too.

Yes we've been lied to.. "Eat low fat," they said. No Butter they said. Use margarine they said". It's all BS. Never trust a doctors word either, lots are pill pushers getting kickbacks. Yes, my pharmacist ratted out some here in town.

Let food be your medicine. Don't trust cheap, rancid supplements either, they are heavily processed (some).

Cheers to good health.

I read the link and I want to point out that Certified Organic means no synthetic pesticides are used and they are NON GMO. I posted info a few pages back on GMO's.
http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/ams.fetchTemplateData.do?template=TemplateN&navID=OrganicStandardslinkNOPConsumers&rightNav1=OrganicStandardslinkNOPConsumers&topNav=&leftNav=&page=NOPOrganicStandards&resultType=&acct=nopgeninfo

Tony, I was just thinking about the chemicals in deodorant and soaps today. Have you found the natural products to work?

I dont think you should should "bash" carbohydrates that much.

The body need all Three, Fat, Proteins and Carbs.

Carbs are a very good energy Source With the right type, and fast carbs that increase insulin is not that bad always.

Even though insulin increases fat Storage, it also is an anabolic hormone (rebuilding) and increases the bodys way of "digesting" or faster/better use of nutrition. It speeds up the use of other nutrition too

A good example is after training, and some in the breakfast. For those two times the body needs fast nutrition, especially after training of course. But not doughnut type of course :D All other times, slow. Basically

Proteins are a poor energy Source, and fat, while a good energy Source, the body does not have it readily available, since it is in "Storage", the body must go through a process to get it. It does not always have the time to do that. (Like you burn fat when walking, and carbs when sprinting)

While carbs are more readily available, if the the body needs them NOW! :D

I am not saying this is Perfect or more right, but if you are active and such, carbs are good, if you do less and not very active, then you can go very low on carbs. But then you also need less fat.

I like to see it as a house being buildt.

The Protein are the material to build walls and New rooms. Too few will not get stuff done, more than you need is better there.

The Carbohydrates are the workers - To few, slow or ineffective building, to many workers and it gets messy and crowded With most sitting around and getting lazy. :P

The fat are more like the Tools, lubricants and keep the workers happy and is an reserve Source. -Sort of

Insuline is then an sort of boost to the house building, but you cant boost all the time. :) But if planned correctly, boosting Works. (after training or?)

And fatty acids are extremely important, because it Controls and regulate all the hormones in the body, so Liquid omega 2-3 times a day does much, especially to a poor Fish eater, but Fish in Food is still noe enough, in my opinion. That also helps stabilizing for example insulin better. I think it is better to drink much omega 3-6-9 and eat somewhat less fat, good fat in regular diet is not so easy to acomplish, for me atleast.

If you think I am wrong, please say so/discuss, I am not an expert, but think about it, and dont believe blindly/to much of what "Professionals" say, and me for that matter ;) But People are somewhat different, find some sort of middle road that you like that Works for you anyway.

And carbs are a good energy Source! It is like Race Fuel, you can run more compression and more advance on it ;)

Like most things in life, balance is the key. I have friends that are Vegans and a buddy that would eat a ribeye for every meal. You'll never see me with either of their philosophies on diet. I will eat a majority whole food plant based diet but I'll also enjoy a ribeye once in a while and salmon. While I think dairy is a huge health negative, I'll eat a pizza every week with light cheese. It's what you do a MAJORITY of the time that matters most.

In regards to carbs. Many carbs can be low on the glycemic index if you know what to eat. Whole wheat bread/pasta, Quinoa, Brown Rice are LOW while White Bread and White Rice are HIGH on the glycemic index. Your baked potato is HIGH on the glycemic index.

[Stuart Adams]

If you guys want some great life changing info check out Dr. Perlmutter. Website and book. Book is $20 and the best info a co pay can buy.

World expert doc.

It's not boot camp, non fat , crap either, which is refreshing.

Backed by real medicine and live patients.

Check out the website, that's free.

[Twoblackmarks...]

Mr. Todd here has the right answer for everybody.

Find what fits you and you feel well eating. And that the Majority of time eating, is good Food.

But you gotta be happy too, so now I am gonna eat some cake actually :D

And you are so absolutely correct With that Nutrition "styles" are like religion and politics, if someone uses this or that diet, everything else than that is totally wrong of course.. He..He.. :D

Luckily for us in Norway we dont have that much Gene Modified Food here, it is "very" strict, atleast very strict compared to US.

I remember I saw a documentary about the US Monsanto GMO stuff that withstands Round-Up I think?.. Ugly stuff.. Luckily that gets rejected if it gets sent to EU. But for how long.. That sure is "Big Evil Companys"

[Stuart Adams]

I work out with a pro trainer 3 days a week - one hour each day - he kicks my arse…


So…. since my arteries are fine - ZERO hard plaque via a heart scan -- I decided I didn't need statins… since I was in the 100 range.

3 months later after a blood draw -- I'm DOUBLE THAT. I say WTF to the Doc… who tells me -- Tough titty… some peoples DNA is just that way. Get over it.

Statins cause memory dysfunction, article in Jan 2012, internal medicine and the FDA in 2012. They also increase the risk of diabetes by an astounding 48 percent.

Glad you didn't go on that drug.

[Stuart Adams]

By limiting carb intake and make up the difference in good fats and protein you will reprogram your genetic code back to factory settings.

Cholesterol tests represent 75-80 percent from what your body manufactures and not what you have eaten. Foods that are high in cholesterol actually decrease your bodies production of it.

When you reduce cholesterol intake your body liver makes an enzyme called HMG CoA reductase which makes up the defeceit by using carbs, same enzyme that statins target!! When you eat excess carbs while lower cholesterol you invite a steady overproduction of cholesterol. Only way to get back in balance is eat an adequate amount of cholesterol and reduce carbs.

Over half all patients hospitalized with heart attack have normal cholesterol levels!!

[Vegas69]

Stuart, did you notice a difference when you changed to the diet recommended by Perlmutter? How long have you been on it?

Some of my concerns with the info:

Whole wheat that is NOT genetically modified is readily available. (Modification seems to be the major concern in wheat belly)

Whole wheat is low on the glycemic index.

Where is the science to back it up?

My first thought is that the real problem with a high carb diet is for the average American that eats processed foods, white bread, and drinks soda.

In my case where I stay in peak fitness and eat a majority non GMO whole grains, I just don't see the concern. I am open to the idea, however.

[Stuart Adams]

Todd, I'm sure what your doing has made an awesome difference in your life.

And your right most don't eat well.

The problem is low fat diets with increased carbs and fruit sugars the to fill the low fat void actually increases brain dysfunction and alzheimers which is not on a test print out at the docs office.

So the car and engine may look good but the computer is being deprived of vital nutrients.

Its ALL based on real patients and chemisty. With multiple studies. He is a leading neurologist in the nation. Alot of these neurological patients are being treated by just changing eating habits!!!

I see patients all the time that have dementia and alzheimers for eyecare and its sad, they are rarely obese.

Problem is when you do bloodwork at the docs office and the numbers are perfect and your body looks good and feels good, you could be harming your brain and not know it. Then if alzheimers develops later down the road people have no idea their diet may have contributed to it. They thought they were doing the right thing.

Its something I was hoping people at least looked at the info, it may help someone they know.

It's really a minor tweek for some and major for others depending on how much sugars are being consumed.

Personally, my diet has been pretty good, not perfect by any stretch, I'm just trying now to throw a few more healthy fats in there and protein and limit my breads and sugars some to strike a balance.

I'm deathly afraid of loosing my brain function and would be pissed if looking back I did it to myself. I would rather be sitting around at 80 sharp mentally and have a few extra pounds than not.

I hate salesman and people pushing crap on me, I get that. My posts were based on brain issues which are not tested until the problem already exists.

[tommycomfort]

Subscribing to the thread because even though Deb and I are very active and eat fairly well, we need to do better. Thanks for the great information!

[Vegas69]

I completely agree with the good fats. I take a fish oil supplement daily to raise my HDL and it has according to my blood work. I pack raw/unsalted nuts EVERYDAY for work. They always give me an energy boost. I eat sunflower seed butter nearly everyday and it's loaded with mono/poly unsaturated fat and a little saturated fat. I eat hummus everyday for a snack after work or on my salad at whole foods.

One thing I want to point out is that if your arteries are being clogged by an overabundance of saturated fat or trans fat, what is it doing to your vessels in your brain? Kelli's father has Alzheimers in his family, big time. In fact, his fathers parents both had it and all of his father's siblings had it but one and I believe there were 9 kids. Her dad was found to have a major blockage in a neck artery and now they have found one in his leg. It has to play a role in the dementia? Lifestyle has to play a role at least in the onset, maybe not the destiny?

When you mention most of your clients with dementia are not overweight, the first thing that comes to mind is that they have probably stayed fairly fit and watched their weight to get to that stage in life. Women and smaller people tend to live longer, I think it applies here. Something takes us all out. I have to agree, losing your mind isn't the best way to go.

[Stuart Adams]

Bad fats cant be good on anything.

Good fats with balanced sugars and protein are what is my goal.

Yes the demented patients I see have lived a while, my point is the possible toll on their brain by thinking they were eating fine.

Its a small change in eating habit. Diet is a bad word and people become defensive when they hear it.

Dang that sucks Kelli's dad has that disease.

[Stuart Adams]

Not all Alzheimers patients have poor sugar control, just a huge portion do and studies are showing this.

I just hope that people with family members or themselves will read the data and go from there.

I'm no dietician by any stretch.

[Vegas69]

A different perspective on:

Olive Oil
http://www.panevinolasvegas.com/blog/myths-and-truths-is-olive-oil-good-for-you/

Wheat/Gluten:
http://www.drmcdougall.com/misc/2013nl/mar/gluten.htm

My biggest hang up on the whole Gluten/Wheat deal is due to what I feel is a couple opinions that seem to be great marketing campaigns. Wheat Belly/Grain Brain? I don't see the science and study's behind the philosophies. I sell houses, I can give you my opinion on the real estate market. Does it make it right? I want to see the research based on as many examples possible. That's why I like the China study, it's comprehensive. Science is never conclusive, it's probable. I need evidence.

I still belive the major problem is processed foods like white bread, white rice, pop tarts, etc and wheat has been drug into the mix.

Where I do agree is GMO wheat. If you agree with me, eat NON GMO Wheat every chance you get. That's certified organic.

[Stuart Adams]

Great topic. Its cool that you started this over a year ago.
I chimed in mainly to shed some light on brain function as a part of healthy living. How my eating habits affect my brain was something I never really considered before.

I never have asked my doctor during physicals how my brain is doing. Nor have they ever said anything to me about brain function while discussing bloodwork, diet, exercise, etc.

We have probably all read tons of stuff on this topic and take a few pearls from those readings that may benefit our life. The book by Perlmutter is just that for me, just info that sheds some light on brain and eating that I never even considered. Taking a few pearls from it and trying to strike a balance for me is the goal. I never adopt everything I read, just educating and using what makes sense.

The bottom line is death does happen no matter what, I'm hoping my brain is still working then :lol: :lol:

[Tony_SS]

Tony, I was just thinking about the chemicals in deodorant and soaps today. Have you found the natural products to work?


Yes, I use Urban Cowboy deodorant. aluminum free, the wife uses something similar, Natures Gate organic deodorant. As for shampoo, I'm still searching for something good. Right now I use Hempz. I don't know how "clean" is is as far as chemicals. Bar soaps, I buy from our farmers market, people make them from lye and oils. They smell great and don't dry out the skin.

Regarding Alzheimers, my aunt died from it, so I know it quite well. And something we need to be aware of is sodium fluoride in our water. This is said to accumulate in the pineal gland over time. Whether there is a connection or not, sodium fluoride is often added to local water supplies. The additive is industrial waste of aluminum production. Often it's purchased from China by your city water dept. Do some research and find out if your city is fluoridating its water. If it is, I suggest moving or making a stink. We are lucky in that they don't add it to our water. Make no mistake, it is poison, and even in the smallest amounts, it's still bad for you.

As far as wheat, I think the science is there, being that wheat has been modified to contain Gliadin. My research leds me to believe it is a horrible product... and even "non GMO" wheat could contain it, as GMO wheat is not supposed to be legal in the US anyway, that could be marketing ploy as well. After being off wheat for so long, if I eat any of it, my appetite goes into overdrive and I crave some serious sugar. That could be just me, but food makers aren't any different from Phillp-Morris. They want their products addictive. It they can engineer that, they well. And I believe they have.

After seeing the biggest changes in my life when I stopped eating wheat and pasteurized dairy, I will continue to be rabidly anti-both of those products.

Regarding pasteurized dairy, it explodes the healthy cells wreaking havoc on your body if you have a histamine sensitivity. That is why the CDC lists milk as the number #1 allergen. That's only one aspect, nevermind the hormones and antibiotics and crap GMO feed they give the cows. So much for all that "Got Milk" propaganda.

Raw, fresh milk is where it's at!

As you get more informed, you learn that almost everything we are exposed to in the form of health is a lie. It's propaganda rooted in greed and political agendas. Never stop questioning.

[Vegas69]

Yes, I use Urban Cowboy deodorant. aluminum free, the wife uses something similar, Natures Gate organic deodorant. As for shampoo, I'm still searching for something good. Right now I use Hempz. I don't know how "clean" is is as far as chemicals. Bar soaps, I buy from our farmers market, people make them from lye and oils. They smell great and don't dry out the skin.

Regarding Alzheimers, my aunt died from it, so I know it quite well. And something we need to be aware of is sodium fluoride in our water. This is said to accumulate in the pineal gland over time. Whether there is a connection or not, sodium fluoride is often added to local water supplies. The additive is industrial waste of aluminum production. Often it's purchased from China by your city water dept. Do some research and find out if your city is fluoridating its water. If it is, I suggest moving or making a stink. We are lucky in that they don't add it to our water. Make no mistake, it is poison, and even in the smallest amounts, it's still bad for you.

As far as wheat, I think the science is there, being that wheat has been modified to contain Gliadin. My research leds me to believe it is a horrible product... and even "non GMO" wheat could contain it, as GMO wheat is not supposed to be legal in the US anyway, that could be marketing ploy as well. After being off wheat for so long, if I eat any of it, my appetite goes into overdrive and I crave some serious sugar. That could be just me, but food makers aren't any different from Phillp-Morris. They want their products addictive. It they can engineer that, they well. And I believe they have.

After seeing the biggest changes in my life when I stopped eating wheat and pasteurized dairy, I will continue to be rabidly anti-both of those products.

Regarding pasteurized dairy, it explodes the healthy cells wreaking havoc on your body if you have a histamine sensitivity. That is why the CDC lists milk as the number #1 allergen. That's only one aspect, nevermind the hormones and antibiotics and crap GMO feed they give the cows. So much for all that "Got Milk" propaganda.

Raw, fresh milk is where it's at!

As you get more informed, you learn that almost everything we are exposed to in the form of health is a lie. It's propaganda rooted in greed and political agendas. Never stop questioning.

Thanks for the feedback Tony.

I also agree on Water. One of the many changes I made along the way was a whole house water filter to reduce environmental factors for our showers and cooking. We also drink bottled water that is sourced from a spring vs. LA tap water. :lol:

The more you know, the scarier it gets. You're right, there is to much misguided information driven by greed, NOT HEALTH.

[Vegas69]

Make Happiness a STUDY, it's one of the key ingredients for success.

My mentor Jim Rohn said, "If you wish to be happy, study happiness."

If you are like me, I didn't know happiness was a study? How many people do you know that make it a study?

The common American philosophy is that when you become successful, happiness is the natural side effect. For example, when I land that six figure job, buy my dream car, get married, get in tip top shape, etc...

My studies have led me to a new perspective. Happiness is as much a cause for success as success is for happiness.

I started in on a new book called "The Happiness Advantage". It's written by a Harvard graduate that has made his focus POSITVE psychology. I'm going to share some interesting statistics:

1. Depression rates in America are 10 times higher than 1960.
2. In 1960, the mean offset age of depression was 29.5 years of age. Today, it's only 14.5!
3. In 1998, the ratio of psychologists that studied the negative vs. the positive side of the equation was 17:1.
4. Those found the happiest at 20 years of age were found to live nearly 10 years longer than the least happy.

The point being made about studying the negative side vs. the positive is this, there focus is on helping the depressed get back to a normal life. I think that's great but what about the average man or woman finding greater happiness?

My first thought was that the negative side is where the money is at but he proved me wrong. Companies are paying good money to bring him in to influence their employees. When they offered the class at Harvard, over 1000 signed up the first semester. It turns out that 4 out of 5 Harvard kids suffer from depression once a year.

They found by having a child think of their favorite thing to do prior to putting some blocks together vs. no influence led to faster completion of the task.

Even doctors were tested with a lollipop vs. no lollipop and were found to find the right diagnosis 19% faster and have 2.5 times less chance of anchoring to their initial impression.

Big companies like google are taking big strides to make their employees happier. They even allow some employees to bring their dog to work.

The science proves that it goes beyond a positive attitude. Your brain actually functions more efficiently leading to greater skill. Our brains will adapt to circumstances.

Aristotle described happiness as "Eudaimonia" which translates to Human Flourishing.

The ten common positive emotions are: Joy, Gratitude, Serenity, Interest, Hope, Pride, Amusement, Inspiration, Awe, and Love.

The bottom line is that science has proven that we can rewire our own minds with time. We are born with a clean slate and our environment up until today has shaped us, not our genes.

This brings more clarity to the power of personal development. Feeding your mind with positive influence not only improves your attitude and the trajectory of your days, it increases your awareness. It's made a HUGE difference for me.


Happiness is not something you postpone for the future; it is something you design for the present. -Jim Rohn

[Tony_SS]

Thanks for the feedback Tony.

I also agree on Water. One of the many changes I made along the way was a whole house water filter to reduce environmental factors for our showers and cooking. We also drink bottled water that is sourced from a spring vs. LA tap water. :lol:

The more you know, the scarier it gets. You're right, there is to much misguided information driven by greed, NOT HEALTH.

Edit from above, it's Herban Cowboy deodorant.. lol.

On those whole house water filters, I've read most all of them do not filter out sodium fluoride, just FYI. The rabbit hole goes pretty deep on the topic. Apparently head top EPA scientist was fired for exposing the program as one of the biggest hoaxes ever put on the American people. There are all sorts of interviews on youtube with him and about the topic. The stuff is outright poison, its why we have warning labels on our toothpaste. Speaking of, I use Tom's toothpaste since its fluoride free. Damn, I wish I was paid for these product adverts.

Something new I'm about to try too... it's all about preventative maintenance. Black cumin seeds or black seed oil.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001FVNM3A/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1DTMIKQ92ZD0L&coliid=I1PZ45GUBX4R96
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001CNL1M/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1DTMIKQ92ZD0L&coliid=I2UPG5Z06YZYGA

Here's where I got the idea. I love this site.
http://www.naturalnews.com/042853_Nigella_Sativa_cancer_prevention.html

[Vegas69]

My main goal for the whole house filter was sediment and chlorine reduction. They claim the chlorine vapor during showers is harmful.

Thanks for sharing the Nigella Sativa. Let us know if you feel a difference.

[Vegas69]

How are you doing with your fitness with the holidays on the horizon?

Now's a good time to start thinking of your goals for 2014. If one is to improve your fitness, make sure it's detailed.

For instance: Lose 15 lbs

Read 2 books on nutrition.
Work out 4 days a week for 30 minutes. First thing in the morning. Wear your gym clothes to bed and put on your shoes right away.
Join a gym that is CLOSE to your house.
Track my diet for 30 days minimum.
Shop for food more and eat out less.
Get your Wife on board. (Accountability)

We always need an action plan to achieve our goals.

I haven't laid out my goals for 2014 but one is going to be to pack on a little muscle. I'll put together a plan to do that with changing my weight routine and duration. I'll pick up a book or two and find the healthiest way.

I checked my bod fat percentage yesterday and it's right at 11.5%. I've put on a few pounds lately. This will allow me to check my weight vs. body fat down the line. I like my physique around what I believe to be 10%. At 11.5% I have a little more pudge than I like.

About a month ago I ran a mile for time. I was hoping to break into the high 5 minute time frame. I ended up running it in 6:12 which is my all time best. Next year I hope to run some longer distances. I've run two 5 K's now and may set a goal to run a half marathon.

[glassman]

My prognosis for '13 was and is fair. I give myself a C. Did not "pencil" in enough time for my cycling. Eating is getting better. My wife and I are slowly making the conversion to "whole" foods.

We went away for our 25th anniversary (d-world/miami beach/sema) and on the whole trip we ate good, one large meal and very lite the other two/three. Kept our cocktails to a minimum. Walked massive amounts at D-world and SEMA and i still gained 3 lbs. So I now, at 47, have to watch my intake more than ever. When i'm on my bike, i usually ride 1 to 1.5 hours AT SPEED.

I still haven't met with a nutrionalist. Just did testing at an allergy doctor (our deductible is paid and my wife made the appt for the both of us). I'm pretty much allergic to any green lol. Which i've known for years, which is why i've always eaten good and exercised. But this getting older thing is strange. I've got to adjust/dial in as my body changes. Its like a carburetor , you have to adjust it for the differing variables life gives you......

So for next year, no real lofty goals, consistently ride and consistently eat better. Recognizing the need for change is the opposite of complacency....and bodies at rest stay in rest and bodies in motion stay in motion....

[Code510]

I'm pretty excited because lately I've been able to open up my schedule a bit.

I now have 35-45 minutes 4-5 times a week to work out. I do it first thing in the morning, before week. This week was my first week, so I just did some basic circuit training to get my body use to it again. This coming week I'll hit the weights a little harder.

Looking to drop some weight and just get in better shape. I know part of that is my diet, but for me, its hard to get motivated on my diet when I'm not working out at all. I figure I'll work out for a week or so, get that in check, then start tweaking my diet. Baby steps so I don't burn myself out. I want this to be a long term plan. :)

[Vegas69]

My prognosis for '13 was and is fair. I give myself a C. Did not "pencil" in enough time for my cycling. Eating is getting better. My wife and I are slowly making the conversion to "whole" foods.

We went away for our 25th anniversary (d-world/miami beach/sema) and on the whole trip we ate good, one large meal and very lite the other two/three. Kept our cocktails to a minimum. Walked massive amounts at D-world and SEMA and i still gained 3 lbs. So I now, at 47, have to watch my intake more than ever. When i'm on my bike, i usually ride 1 to 1.5 hours AT SPEED.

I still haven't met with a nutrionalist. Just did testing at an allergy doctor (our deductible is paid and my wife made the appt for the both of us). I'm pretty much allergic to any green lol. Which i've known for years, which is why i've always eaten good and exercised. But this getting older thing is strange. I've got to adjust/dial in as my body changes. Its like a carburetor , you have to adjust it for the differing variables life gives you......

So for next year, no real lofty goals, consistently ride and consistently eat better. Recognizing the need for change is the opposite of complacency....and bodies at rest stay in rest and bodies in motion stay in motion....

Mike, I think life requires continual adaptation. It become crucial as we age. In my opinion, you must live cleaner on average.

Good to hear you are proactively looking for improvement. I don't think we can ever know to much or try to many new things. It's the accumulation of small improvements that lead to optimal health. I know I'm still learning lessons.

I'm pretty excited because lately I've been able to open up my schedule a bit.

I now have 35-45 minutes 4-5 times a week to work out. I do it first thing in the morning, before week. This week was my first week, so I just did some basic circuit training to get my body use to it again. This coming week I'll hit the weights a little harder.

Looking to drop some weight and just get in better shape. I know part of that is my diet, but for me, its hard to get motivated on my diet when I'm not working out at all. I figure I'll work out for a week or so, get that in check, then start tweaking my diet. Baby steps so I don't burn myself out. I want this to be a long term plan. :)

Good for you, I couldn't get by without working out at this point. My body revolts as I've worked out consistently for 18 years now. I used to drown my sorrows and stress in beer. Now, I run or lift weights. It works better and no hangover. :lol:

Nutrition really is everything. A buddy and I met at a local gym for a run this week. I was a member for many years in the past and recognized many of the same people. They looked to be in similar shape, just older. They appear to have the fitness consistency but making no progression.

The moral of the story is that dialing in your nutrition is the key to the physique you desire. You don't have to kill yourself in the gym. I work out 2 hours a week and stay fit. It's what you do a majority of time that matters. You can still enjoy rich foods a minority of the time and have good results.

[Vegas69]

Here is a body fat chart I found online. This is what really matters. What is your body composition?

Jack Lalanne said, It's what you see in the mirror that really matters, not the scale.

[Tony_SS]

One thing I've learned is that if you want to loose weight, you change the food you eat. If you want to shape your body, you work out.

You can not loose weight by working out alone. You can sweat 4 hours a day in the gym, if you're not eating the right foods or eating the wrong ones, you'll have a very hard time loosing weight and shaping your body.

It all starts with the correct food intake, your body will loose weight on that alone. Working out is just the fine tuning and shaping.

-----

The wife is one pound away from losing 50 lbs since May! She gained a lot of weight after chemo, the steroids did that. So losing 50 lbs is 6 months is a big deal for her. She had done that by going Paleo with me. No major workout regimen although she does walk on the treadmill from time to time.

We are now working on her family... all of which seek out food for comfort. I went down there last week and opened their pantry and we blown away by all the grains, cookies, crackers. Diet this and that. Aspartame sweeteners. Just the worst stuff you can put in their body. The wife is working on them to cut out their grains and increase their meat/veggie intake. But when you eat to fill a void, its sugar and grains that you crave. That's going to be a challenge to get them eating better. I really have little tolerance for that excuse, but realize that its a disorder like alcoholism or drug abuse.

[Vegas69]

I think it's about time I updated this thread. Merry Christmas all!

I've learned so much about health and nutrition over the last year and a half. It's been a constant study and experiment for me. When I started down this road, my first nutrition experiment was from Jack Lalanne. Jack had a whole food philosophy and a big proponent of juicing. I made tweaks to that philosophy based on modern science and information and saw great results and felt great for some time. Up next was the China Study which is also a whole food/plant based philosophy. The major difference is that it's a plant only based philosophy. I never got there but I did get to the point where I was only eating meat a few times a weak. This philosophy got me cut and got my plumbing working better than ever with the addition of a probiotic. After a few months, I started to feel depleted and that I needed some tweaks and I started adding in lean meats again, once a day. That paired with the desire to build muscle vs. lean out. My goal for 2014 is 170 lbs and 10% body fat. I was at 160 lbs on my mainly vegetarian diet at roughly 9-10% body fat. Basically, I want to add 10 lbs of muscle.

Recently, I read "The All Pro Diet" by Tony Gonzalez. http://www.amazon.com/The-All-Pro-Diet-Muscle-Champion/dp/1605299510/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1387680204&sr=8-1&keywords=all+pro+diet
Tony is one of the finest tight ends to ever play pro football. He was a Vegan for a short time and also was influenced greatly by "The China Study". I found it interesting that he also felt that a vegetarian/vegan diet reduced his performance in the gym and on the field. I had come to that conclusion and changed my diet right before I bought the book. The short story is that he is still a major proponent of a whole food, plant based diet with the right lean meats and protein powders. Wild Salmon, Grass Fed Beef, etc..

A whole food/plant based diet is still the major in the diet.

Here's where he changed my trajectory. He starts most days with a smoothie for breakfast. I've juiced, I've consumed healthy prepared breakfast. The smoothie is the best I've ever experienced in the morning. I made some minor tweaks to his power smoothie:

4-6 ounces of Unsweetened Almond Milk (Organic)
1 scoop of Protein Powder(Hemp, Rice, Pea)
1 large handful of Spinach (Organic)
3-4 Baby Carrots (Organic)
1 scoop of Acai Berry Powder (Organic)
3 frozen Strawberries (Organic)
1 handful of frozen Blueberries (Organic)
1 handful of frozen Rasberries or Mango (Organic)
2-3 ounces of Coconut Water
1 scoop of Green Vibrance (Love this one with Probiotics)

It's right at 400 calories and you can make it with a decent blender. It's the best breakfast kick I've ever experienced. Full of nutrients, fiber, protein, and super foods. The time investment isn't bad and the clean up is a snap vs. juicing.

This combined with adding a lean meat into my lunch or dinner teamed with my whole food/plant based diet has made my body respond. I've already put on 5 lbs of muscle on my legs, back, and upper body.

Example of a favorite lunch:

6 Oz of Bison
Quinoa
Broccoli
Asparagus
Onion
Stiraccha

It's fun to be at the point where I can tinker with my body with diet and workouts. I've increased my rest to 30 seconds between sets and the duration of my workout to 40 minutes 3 days a week. I'm now running only one day a week to keep my cardio.

The main thing is to keep learning and progressing. Treat your body like a temple, it's the only place you have to live....

[glassman]

So cardio only once a week? I guess that keeps it up, i always thought three days 20 min was minimum. But in the gym, lifting etc, you get a little cardio anyways dont ya? it aint like your home sittin on the couch...

Your deviated septum any better? i either have a small cold or some winter allergies up here in the Bay Area...i'm not ponduring surgery yet.

Still trying to dial in my 47 year old diet....as much whole foods as possible, but working out is not consistant and thats pissing me off. I have a concept 1 rowing maching i use once or twice a week and cycle for an hour once or twice a week,,,,but i'm plateauing....

[Vegas69]

I'm still only resting 30 seconds between sets which feels like a day off compared to the 15-20 I was doing for a year but still gives me some cardio benefit. I agree that I will lose some of my aerobic capacity. The combination of the high intensity weights/running/diet got me lighter than I want to ultimately be.

I spent a majority of the last 15 years lifting heavy weights for bulk. Recently, I have gone the opposite way and achieved the best aerobic fitness and body fat % of my life.

Now, I'm going to take my experience from both and hopefully find a balance mated with the nutrition plan I've established. My goal is to gain some muscle and strength while keeping a reasonable aerobic ability. I think 170 and 10% body fat will do it.

My nose is still a bit of a nuisance. It's the best it's been in some time. In fact, I just had an appointment with my ENT on Thursday. He can't help me improve my nose an further without surgery. It's elective and I'm choosing not to do it at this point. The Green Vibrance has helped my allergies to the point where I have taken very few allergy pills over the last few months. Between the breath right strips and sleeping on my back, I've been sleeping decent lately.

I just had my mountain bike changed up a bit. I made it more comfortable with a different riser and on/off road tires. I rode it up to Starbucks today and it's not bad. I think I'd rather run. ha ha

[GregWeld]

Todd ---


Get yourself some SIMPLY SALINE NIGHTIME.... and use it!


You won't need the breathe right strips. This stuff has helped me immensely.

[Vegas69]

I've tried saline in the past with very little effect. Is this one more effective?

[GregWeld]

I've tried saline in the past with very little effect. Is this one more effective?



yeah -- Just saline is a good rinse --- BUT THIS ONE is a miracle for me at least. Keeps me clear all night. It's not a drug like some nose sprays -- it's just saline with some menthol -- but really opens you up and helps keep it that way. For $5 it's worth a try at least.

[Vegas69]

Some I had tried in the past were habit forming. Meaning, it worked great at night but when not in use, it would make my nose worse. I've tried a bunch of prescription and over the counter products over the years.

This one looks to be non habit forming. I'll check it out. Thanks for the info.
http://www.armandhammer.com/personal-care/nasal-care/Products/simply-saline-nasal-mist-cold-formula-with-menthol.aspx

[GregWeld]

Some I had tried in the past were habit forming. Meaning, it worked great at night but when not in use, it would make my nose worse. I've tried a bunch of prescription and over the counter products over the years.

This one looks to be non habit forming. I'll check it out. Thanks for the info.
http://www.armandhammer.com/personal-care/nasal-care/Products/simply-saline-nasal-mist-cold-formula-with-menthol.aspx



Over the years I've fallen prey to almost ANYTHING that would help me breathe...


What I've discovered is - typical right? - simple.... part of the process is to keep the nasal / sinus passages "clean" and bacteria free... which just leads to better overall nasal health. This Simply Saline Nighttime (which I also use during the day if I'm "suffering") has been amazing for me. I have far fewer overall issues.


BTW -- I had a 6 1/2 hour nasal surgery -- it was the most miserable recovery period EVER (in the universe).... and I think it helped for a couple years at best. After that - we went right back to our usual cycle.

Since I've been using the Simply Saline Nighttime --- I have far fewer issues overall.

[jarhead]

Kind of odd what a guy can read on a car forum. Glad you posted this a long time ago and it kept going.

Three years ago December I weighed 316, and my Doctor told me to fix it, so I spent nine months dropping 90 pounds. Long story short i gained 66 pounds back over the last two years.

I have to get back to what I was doing then, and many of the things I have read over the last hour is what I did. I started slow on the exercise, walking a mile, then running five miles six days a week because I was addicted to it. I was burnt out at the end and just quit. I was doing a 1600 calorie a day diet the nutritionist put me on to lose weight fast, and I just never took myself off of it, so that burnt me out.

I wrote everything in a book, and that tip is a great one, you learn what everything is calorie "wise", it drove my wife crazy to go to the store with her, lol. She is a runner, has been for years, 20 miles a week.

Thanks Todd, and everyone else, my fat ass is now motivated again. I think checking in here is what I need.

Joe

[Tony_SS]

Kind of odd what a guy can read on a car forum. Glad you posted this a long time ago and it kept going.

Three years ago December I weighed 316, and my Doctor told me to fix it, so I spent nine months dropping 90 pounds. Long story short i gained 66 pounds back over the last two years.

I have to get back to what I was doing then, and many of the things I have read over the last hour is what I did. I started slow on the exercise, walking a mile, then running five miles six days a week because I was addicted to it. I was burnt out at the end and just quit. I was doing a 1600 calorie a day diet the nutritionist put me on to lose weight fast, and I just never took myself off of it, so that burnt me out.

I wrote everything in a book, and that tip is a great one, you learn what everything is calorie "wise", it drove my wife crazy to go to the store with her, lol. She is a runner, has been for years, 20 miles a week.

Thanks Todd, and everyone else, my fat ass is now motivated again. I think checking in here is what I need.

Joe

Joe, start with your DIET first. If you want to loose weight, stop eating any and all form of Wheat. That is your challenge #1. You WILL see weight melt off and you will stop craving sugar. This is job #1. Cut out ALL wheat and your health will not only improve (less inflammation, better digestion) but you'll also start losing weight.

Forget the exercise - this is how people fail. Get your diet straight first. And its not a diet of restrictions, it's simply changing what you eat.

[Tony_SS]

I think it's about time I updated this thread. Merry Christmas all!


Looks like you gave up dairy? That is one issue too, where you might have a slight allergy too, or not. I know dairy does cause inflammation which generally wreaks havoc on some people's sinuses.

[Vegas69]

Kind of odd what a guy can read on a car forum. Glad you posted this a long time ago and it kept going.

Three years ago December I weighed 316, and my Doctor told me to fix it, so I spent nine months dropping 90 pounds. Long story short i gained 66 pounds back over the last two years.

I have to get back to what I was doing then, and many of the things I have read over the last hour is what I did. I started slow on the exercise, walking a mile, then running five miles six days a week because I was addicted to it. I was burnt out at the end and just quit. I was doing a 1600 calorie a day diet the nutritionist put me on to lose weight fast, and I just never took myself off of it, so that burnt me out.

I wrote everything in a book, and that tip is a great one, you learn what everything is calorie "wise", it drove my wife crazy to go to the store with her, lol. She is a runner, has been for years, 20 miles a week.

Thanks Todd, and everyone else, my fat ass is now motivated again. I think checking in here is what I need.

Joe

Joe, glad to hear you are motivated to change in 2014. It really comes down to a simple new discipline repeated everyday.

My advice is to find something more sustainable this time around. From the outside looking in, your calorie intake is low for that much exercise and your size. If you are losing weight to quickly, you are not going to stick with it long term. You will be hungry far to often and lack the stamina to keep up with your exercise program. Adjust your calorie intake to lose a few pounds a week. Maybe 2000-2200? You'll have to find your own sweet spot by tracking your calories consumed vs. burned teamed with the scale and body fat.

Next, I think you are killing yourself with that much running. I can't run that much. Shoot for 4 days per week in the 30-45 minute range. Work in some strength training to gain strength and muscle to aid in calorie burning.

The key is LIFESTYLE change that you can live with until the end of time. Sure there will be days where it will take all the discipline you can muster but it sure beats the alternative. Keep checking in with your progress as I'll be happy to keep you accountable. I'd also urge you to tell your Wife, Kids, and Friends to twist the screw on yourself. Set goals with specific dates, weights, body fat, etc...

Good luck!!!

Looks like you gave up dairy? That is one issue too, where you might have a slight allergy too, or not. I know dairy does cause inflammation which generally wreaks havoc on some people's sinuses.

Hey Tony, Hope you are well buddy. I haven't given up dairy but my intake has diminished dramatically. My nutrition has been that way for 6 months or greater. I still like my pizza and will allow light cheese on some meals out. It's my opinion that it's what you do a majority of the time that makes the greatest difference.

[Vegas69]

Post one major goal for 2014 and how you plan to get there?

I'll start....

My biggest goal from 2014 is to become MODERATELY OPTIMISTIC. It's no secret that I've studied personal development extremely hard since mid 2012. The psychological posts don't seem to gain the steam the nutrition/fitness posts do but it's just as crucial to your health. Mental AND Physical.

I just finished my second book specifically on happiness and optimism.http://www.amazon.com/Learned-Optimism-Change-Your-Mind/dp/1400078393/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1388621592&sr=8-1&keywords=learned+optimism I've gotten to the point where things have leveled off. I've made some major positive changes in my life and succeeded in achieving big goals. All my studies lead me down the optimism road to grab the next rung on the ladder. I must rewire my brain to become a more optimistic person.

I'm sure you are thinking, how the hell is this guy going to become more optimistic? :lol: First of all, you can grow up to be optimistic or pessimistic and it's largely based on your influences as a child. The greatest influence is your mother and her EXPLANATORY style. That means how good and bad events are explained. The 2nd is teachers and other parents, followed by bad events. To find out how optimistic or pessimistic you are, take this test:
http://www.stanford.edu/class/msande271/onlinetools/LearnedOpt.html What I found is that I'm Moderately Pessimistic. I need to move up two levels this year to get where I want to be which is Moderately Optimistic. After taking the test, analyzing the results, and reading the entire book, it makes perfect sense to me.

I found:
I'm Optimistic when it comes to bouncing back from the bad/negativity.
I'm Optimistic when it comes to letting the bad/negative effect that specific part of my life. Meaning, I don't let a bad day at work, keep me from working out.
My HOPE score was optimistic. I believe in my future.
I'm Pessimistic in how I explain bad/negative events. My tendency is to take on responsibility which isn't warranted. That is partially due to my leadership training and feeling it's the right thing in some instances but the balance bar is out of whack.
I'm pessimistic in how I explain the good/wins. I give others to much credit for my wins.
I'm pessimistic in how I celebrate my good/wins. I barely trip over my success and major goals obtained. My tendency is to not enjoy them nearly enough.

The moral of the story is I had no idea what made someone optimistic or pessimistic to this degree.

For instance:
You do exceptionally well in a job interview:
Pessimistic: I felt extremely confident during the interview.
Optimistic: I interview well.
In this case you are giving yourself credit that day versus overall.

You have a wonderful time at a party:
Pessimistic: Everyone was friendly.
Optimistic: I was friendly.
You give credit to others vs yourself.

You run for community office and lose:
Pessimistic: I didn't campaign hard enough.
Optimistic: The person who won knew more people.
You take on the blame when it was hopefully out of your control and did the best you could.

These are just a few examples and clearly it gets much deeper than this...

Facts about Optimists:
Believe setbacks are temporary and confined to one case.
They believe defeat is not their fault. (Blame circumstanced, others, etc when warranted)
Take a bad situation perceive it as a challenge and try harder as a result.
They live longer on average.
They have less sickness.
They make better use of opportunities.
They bounce back faster from adversity.
Over 50 major companies use a similar test to above to hire.
See the world through rose colored glasses.

Pessimists:
Tend to suffer from depression more often.
Tend to believe bad events will last a long time and undermine everything they do, and it's their fault.
See the world realistically. (To realistically)
Take on excess personal responsibility.
Have less faith and hope.
Tend to be wiser overall....

Now, there are instances where pessimism still rules. Companies must have some moderate pessimists to keep the balance. The marketing and sales department are optimists and the cpa is pessimistic.

However, in general you are better off being on the optimistic side of the equation for countless reasons. This book is interesting because they were able to predict almost every presidential election in the last 80 years, sports championships, on down the line using EXPLANTORY style and analyzing video tape and newspapers. Even certain religions are more optimistic than others and it does have a major effect.

To change, you must figure out your tendencies from the test above and change your EXPLANATORY style.

You can fight the bad/negative thoughts by disputing them between your ears. One of the major points I got from the book is your own negative thoughts are no different than criticism from a stranger. Fight fire with fire. You must dispute your own tendencies by finding a positive explanation. What it comes down to is the art of learning to talk to yourself in an optimistic approach.

You can also employ the distraction technique. If you just can't let go of a negative circumstance, schedule a time later to think it over so it takes a back seat. You can also distract yourself numerous ways.

The whole premise of the book is to employ "Learned Optimism". It's a major tool at your option that you can choose to employ with judgment. There will still be times when you should be a pessimist. However, a majority of the time, you can choose Optimism, you just need to know how.

[glassman]

So true, so true.

I went through a "mental" health year in '13. Had a brain scan by the Amen Clinics in Janruary and started seeing a pyshcologist in Dec '12. I've been through a lot of "strange" hardships. The way i see it, is that destiny, which you cannot control sometimes, helps to "chisel" your being. Kind of a "when life gives you lemons" kinda thing.

So, having ADHD, severe Anxiety, IBS, Acid Reflux, several (3) different tendon related surgeries, (not to mention having very close family members sh$t on you for there own greedy means, business partners "stealing", IRS going after me for "giving" too much money away, witnessing several deaths, some personal trials with being abused as a child, the list goes on..)....you HAVE to pick up the pieces and do the best with what ya got. And learn from your own mistakes as well. People will continue to disappoint, but people will also continue to suprise you, and thats what we live for.

Also, in my case, that has giving me much drive, resolve and other positive attributes that have paid dividends. A VERY healthy 25 year marriage, oldest child (23) in his second year of a doctorate program in physcology, middle child (21) studying to be a music & special ed teacher up in Chico, and a nineteen year old daughter whose in her second year of college (now studying to become a female pastor) and a list of employees who work for my company that give it their "all", cream of the crop so to say, but definately a blessing...

So what a lot of these trials and tribulations have taught me is to be always loving, forgiving, patient (which i am not, but learning), kind to others (even when they don't deserve it, man, thats a tough one)....amongst other things.

You only get one shot at this thing we call life, give it your all and dont leave anything on the table.

Happy New Year to all!!!!

[Vegas69]

Wow Mike, you've certainly had your fair share of adversity. Thanks for sharing..

I agree, adversity develops your Character and I think it can be said that Optimism fits into the mold of Character. How do you handle the downward pull of life and how fast can you move on and get back on track? This book really gave me unique perspective and understanding that I feel will result in a more positive mental attitude and more tools to continue building the Character I desire.

You certainly have a lot to be thankful for and based on your marriage, children, and business. Based on those fact I have to conclude that you are a man of great Character. Keep chiseling!

Great thoughts at the end of your post.:thumbsup:

[glassman]

Thanx Todd, and we do need to encourage each other on here, kinda like having a "workout" partner to "push" you....

but one more thought on the brain scan, i went in for severe ADHD, i'm both physically hyper and mentally hyper. So my therapist and the psychatrist both thought i had "ring of fire" ADHD, which is the worst of the eight different types.. Turns out I dont have the ring of fire type but the anxiety is overruling in my case, but they did discover that my brain suffered a TBI (traumatic brain injury) at some point, but there is no record of such incident (i cant remember haha) according to my parents or me for that matter. The doc is recommending "hyperbaric" treatment but its cutting edge therapy....Its like 9 grand for the chamber and nobody around here rents them out....meanwhile, its diet, exercise, and trying to "calm" down at work, cause stress is relative to your state of mind (a surgeon should be under great stress during surger, cause if he eff's up....well you know)....so it should be interesting as i look into this type of therapy...

body, mind & soul....

[Tony_SS]

My bosses son had ADHD and was on drugs to deal with it. One day the kid came into work with his Dad drinking a soda and eating doughnuts. Hmmm. I wonder where he's getting that ADHD from? The kid's on a permanent sugar high. *facepalm*

Self admitted pessimist checking in here. At least I can admit it. lol. I know where I get it from too.. Thanks MOM.

One thing I try to instil in my kids: "Whether you think you can or can't, you are right"

[Sieg]

This thread need a wake up........:D

http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-4pZPZVW/0/L/i-4pZPZVW-L.jpg

:peepwall:

[glassman]

Nice^^^^^

[Vegas69]

Thanks for bringing this thread back to life Sieg. One of my goals for this year was to weigh 170 with 10% body fat. I changed my work outs and diet and I'm liking the results. I've packed on some pretty serious muscle. I've gained strength, naturally. Five years ago I was bench pressing 100 lb dumbbells 10 times. In just over a month with my new work out routine, I'm already back to pressing them twice.

I've had the brute strength and a poor diet and decent physique for a majority of my young adult life. Nearly two years ago I started my serious study of nutrition and health. That led me to lose 35 lbs and get down to 159 lbs and by far the best aerobic fitness and lean muscle mass of my life. In the process, I lost a little to much strength and mass for my liking. Now, I've found a reasonable balance of strength, muscle/body fat, and aerobic fitness. It comes down to great nutrition, a round work out routine, and experience.

I'm lifting weights 3 times per week for 40 minutes with 45-60 seconds between sets. I usually perform 10 reps the first set and 3-5 on the 3rd set of that exercise. I'm running for 30 minutes a week. I have to admit I miss the additional running from my previous work out.

The biggest lesson I've learned throughout the years is nutrition is the biggest factor. The closer you get to your own personal ideal diet, the quicker you see results, recover, and feel great.

I've really grown to like the Tony Gonzalez philosophy on nutrition. His breakfast power smoothie is a home run and I like his whole food, plant based diet with lean meats in moderation.

[Sieg]

Nice^^^^^

Homegrown beef chuck and arm roast from the uncle's ranch in Eastern Oregon, onion, garlic, celery, carrots, organic vegetable broth, a few mics. spices, and new baby potatoes. Simmered for 10 hours...............the beef falls apart and it was exceptionally tasty!!! :D

[SSLance]

So a local hospital had a "Free health checkup" at a local mall Saturday. The wife and I went mainly to get our labs done without the whole doctor's appointment blah blah blah...

Curious if anyone else has been to one of these free checkup deals before and what you thought of the results if you have?

It seems pretty amazing to me that they can prick a little bit of blood out of the tip of your finger, put it in a little machine the size of a thermal label printer and spit out your blood work results 6 minutes later...when it takes the doctor's office a week or so to get lab results back...

I'll share my results a bit later, they were interesting to say the least...

[SSLance]

Wow, very interesting thread. It is pretty cool to see a bunch of "car guys" talking about eating and living healthy.

My deal started a little over 2 years ago now. I was 45 years old, 6'0" and weighed about 180 pounds, pretty healthy I thought, just a little bit of a spare tire forming. Went for my annual physical, nailed the EKG, Stress test, everything looked good...until the blood work came back.

July 2011
Cholesterol 179
HDL Direct 32
Triglyceride 191
LDL Calculated 109

The Doc was mainly concerned about my Triglyceride levels, wanted to put me on a Statin. I refused and started a workout regimen, 30 minutes on treadmill 5 days a week, started drinking 8 oz of Grape juice a day (to raise good cholesterol) and taking an Omega supplement once a day.


Went back for more blood work in Oct 2011
Cholesterol 218
HDL Direct 29
Non-HDL Cholesterol 199
Triglyceride 195
LDL Calculated 150

This pissed me off enough that I stopped working out (aggravating knee trouble contributed as well), but continued with grape juice and omega supplement.


In Jan 2013 went back for more blood work
Cholesterol 243
HDL Direct 34
Non-HDL Cholesterol 209
Triglyceride 291
LDL Calculated 151

Again, the doc stressed that I need to be on a Statin, diagnosed me as "pre-diabetic". Well, just about everyone in my family has been diagnosed as "pre-diabetic" at one time or another due to Triglyceride levels, yet none of them have developed actual heart disease.

The wife and I sat down and decided to change the way we live, drastically. First although we thought that we ate pretty healthy, we reevaluated everything we consume and took out anything that would be considered "processed food". We committed to a fresh fruit, fresh vegetable and sensible protein diet, morning noon and night. We learned about better fish to eat, not just any fish, we learned about adding almonds to the mix, we learned ways of cooking food in a healthier manner. And the wife quit her high stress job and took some time off to just chill and spend a lot of time running to the grocery store for fresh food and making my lunches for me. I've always packed a lunch, but now my lunches have bags of carrots, cut fresh green peppers, nuts, and a light sammich in them instead of jello pudding, applesauce, and cookies along with a big ol honking sammich in there.

We also researched omegas...and learned a TON. I'm convinced the Omega supplement I was taking was wreaking havoc with my system. We found a supplement that was better fit and I started taking it once a day and I quit the grape juice

It's a life change for sure, but one for the better. I lost close to 10 pounds pretty quickly, lost about an inch off my waist and my spare tire went away...and I was eating MORE than I was before portion size, meaning I wasn't starving myself to do this. After 3 months I went back in for more blood work.

May 2013
Cholesterol 211
HDL Direct 29
Triglyceride 184 (the big one)
LDL Calculated 145

Ir was unbelievable to me that just a strict dietary change could lower my Triglyceride level over 100 points in a 3 month period.

You'll never guess what the doc said... "you still need to start taking a statin..." I just glared at her and she understood.

Anyway, it's 5 or 6 months later now, we are still on the "healthy eating kick", weight has stayed right at 170#s or so, feel great and I haven't been back for any more blood work. I wear a fitbit to track my footsteps per day, and try to keep as active as I can, but I don't see me becoming any sort of a workout warrior. My schedule and sore knees just don't fit into that plan. But I like the healthy living and seriously...it is becoming more and more regular all of the time and hopefully society as a whole will head further down this road which will just give us more and more good choices of food instead of more of the crap that is in the center sections of the grocery stores.


Saturday's numbers...

Cholesterol 213
HDL Direct 26
Triglyceride 300 (the big one once again)
LDL Calculated 127


I fail to believe the Triglyceride number...in just about any of the test results above. Throughout all of this the past couple of years, I have felt basically the same and my body shape and everything else has remained basically the same.

Our diet has not deviated from the regime that we followed to get my Triglycerides down to 184 from 291 in a 4 month period...Jan to May 2013. We eat pretty good, lots of wild fish, very little red meat, almost zero processed ANYTHING, tons of fresh fruits and veggies...and almost no eating out in restaurants.

I just don't get the big swings in the Triglycerides numbers I'm seeing. And I'm less convinced than ever that it is anything I should really be concerned about.

[Vegas69]

Lance, it seems to me that your body naturally over produces cholesterol. I know some people have that tendency due to genetics. With the diet you describe, you shouldn't have high cholesterol. How consistent are you with your diet and exercise? List a typical days nutrition and what you eat when you cheat.

[Vegas69]

How much water are you consuming daily?

Don't discount the importance of water intake and health. Many Americans spend most of there life in a mild state of dehydration. It can cause low energy, constipation, depression, poor athletic performance and on down the line. Remember, our bodies are predominantly made up of water.

The old rule of eight, eight ounce glasses of water a day may be OK for some, but not for you. For instance, the research I've done for myself lead to between 100-120 ounces per day. I'm moderately active, 5'9" and 170 lbs. That's over eight, twelve ounce bottles of water per day for optimal health.

Food can account for up to 20% of your water intake if you eat a healthy diet. What Jack Lalanne said has always stuck with me. You must offset every caffeinated or alcoholic beverage with a glass of water as they are diuretics.

Calculator:http://waterintakecalculator.com/

[SSLance]

Lance, it seems to me that your body naturally over produces cholesterol. I know some people have that tendency due to genetics. With the diet you describe, you shouldn't have high cholesterol. How consistent are you with your diet and exercise? List a typical days nutrition and what you eat when you cheat.

Breakfast (usually about 6-7 am) = Bowl of oatmeal with a banana or blueberries mixed in and just a touch of 2% milk. Also have two cups of coffee w\teaspoon of sugar in each. Maybe once every other weekend we'll have an omelet or some other egg with a bit of bacon or sausage, but that is the exception.

Lunch (usually between noon and 1 pm)= Ham or turkey sammich on whole wheat bread, small ziplock bag of cut up veggies (celery, green peppers, red peppers, snow peas etc), an apple or a banana, sometimes a small serving of trail mix, baked chips, or almonds for variety and a bottle of water. I'll also occasionally eat leftovers from a dinner the night before for lunch to mix things up.

Dinner (typically about 6:30 pm) = Home cooked, baked mostly, protein of Pork, Wild Fish, or Chicken, a vegetable, and either rice or a baked potato with salsa. The wife will mix in a different item every now and then but almost always a health conscience alternative, she's a good cook and follows healthy eating cooking steadily. I have a 30 ounce insulated cup that I fill up with ice and either water or tea that I drink off of in the evening. Every now and then we'll grill up and split a nice steak, but that is rare, we'll also have a pizza (homemade crust with healthy type toppings) the wife will make cookies for treats, oatmeal mostly.


This diet pretty much stays in place 7 days a week. Sometimes we will go out for a nice dinner out, but usually choose a healthy meal over a fat laden type, sometimes we'll share a bottle of red wine but not often, maybe once every two weeks. I drink almost zero carbonated beverages,

I am not an "exerciser" so to speak. In nice weather we'll take the dogs on a 30-45 minute walk 2-3 nights a week and we have a 5 acre lawn that takes a certain amount of physical work to maintain curing the growing months. I consider myself "in shape" and can push a 50# spreader back and forth across the lawn spreading 750 pounds of fertilizer in a couple of hours with little trouble but I am not the type that enjoys 30-45 minutes of workouts 4-5 days a week. I'm 5'11" and weigh between 172 and 176 pounds each morning depending on how much water I've consumed and how much physical activity I've had in the previous 24 hours.

My wife is constantly on me about drinking more water, during the week before my blood test that netted the 184 on triglycerides I drank 4-5 bottles of water every day. My problem with that is...it also makes me have to piss about every half hour. It is hard for me to justify forcing all of that water down my gullet just to have to piss it all back out a half hour later. I haven't felt any different through all of the "healthy alternatives" I've tried to get my blood work better over the past 3 years. All of my other vitals have been normal or strong throughout all of this, blood pressure, EKGs, etc etc have all been fine.

BTW, for meds I take 3 a day, a 10 mg loratadine (claritan) a fish oil and a Men's multivitamin.

At this point it seems to me like it comes down to drinking a ton of water every day to cheat on the blood work test to try to get more normal results. Just about everyone in my family have been diagnosed as "pre-diabetic" yet nobody has ever become diabetic. Half of them take the statin to try to get the better number on paper, the other half don't, some exercise regularly, most do not, but almost all of us are basically in the same type of health...we get by and for the most part do not have any issues other than the number on the paper once a year or so.

I really question just how important the number on the paper is...

[Vegas69]

Your diet sounds very healthy. There is little doubt it's hereditary.

I wouldn't say you cheated the results. Water may be having that great of an effect on your system. Even when you drank 4-5 bottles a day, you were barely consuming the old measure of 64 ounces a day. Add some coffee and tea into the mix and you are below your daily intake.

Everybody's requirements are different depending on composition, environment, and activity. Your body should adjust to the additional water with greater amounts when you go vs. more often.

One of the interesting things I read is that our bodies will actually store water more aggressively when you drink to little water. That also means you are more likely to store waste in your body and put a greater load on your organs.

[GregWeld]

Happy Valentines Day Sweetheart!









http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa251/Payback1969/Ripped_zps8bfb1687.jpg

[RussMurco]

Update on my progress...
I have cut out all sodas, the headaches only lasted for a couple of days...
I've cut out 95% of sugars...
I've cut out 95% of wheat-based products...
My weight is down to 260 (from 275) over the 6 weeks or so...
Feeling and sleeping much better...
Have ALMOST stopped smoking completely. That last 5-10 per day are a real struggle but I feel cutting back from 30+ a day is heading in the right direction...
I read an article a couple of weeks ago that goes right along with the recommendations you guys have shared. It explained a LOT!!!

http://www.sott.net/article/242516-Heart-surgeon-speaks-out-on-what-really-causes-heart-disease

[Vegas69]

Russ, good for you buddy. Keep opening that spicket and making measurable progress!

I read that article and came to one conclusion. Eat a diet how GOD intended and you won't have any problems. Let man get his hands on it, well, good luck to you.

It really comes down to balance and what you do a MAJORITY of the time. Me, I eat a plant based, whole food diet with quality meats. If I read a label and can't pronounce it or don't know what it is, I don't want to eat. I find it to be pretty easy:

Elk
Spinach
Blueberries
Wild Salmon
Brown Rice
Raw Almonds
Granny Smith Apple

You get the point....

[GregWeld]

Some of you may be taking additional supplements --- be wary of this....



http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2014/02/21/Selenium-vitamin-E-supplements-may-up-prostate-cancer-risk/UPI-31081393044810/

[hifi875]

22 miles at a slow 9:30 pace today. It was all about time on feet and not speed. Getting ready for ky derby marathon in April

[Vegas69]

Happy Valentines Day Sweetheart!

How'd I miss this.... :lmao:

[Vegas69]

GOD, Family, Country

Like everything in this life, it goes back to the basic fundamentals. Once you lose site of them, things start to go haywire. As I've posted in the past, the median age that depression onsets in this country is now only 15 years of age. That HALF what it was 30 years ago! Why?

I've been studying psychology on and off for the last 6 months or so. The major factor I have found is the transition from GOD, Family, Country to the maximum self. While it's important to take full responsibility for yourself, actions, and circumstances, that only gets you so far. Sustainable joy and purpose are found outside of ourselves. We, alone, are a weak source of sustainable happiness and fulfillment.

GOD

Regardless if you believe in GOD or any other spiritual means, having faith in something bigger than yourself is the biggest piece of the life puzzle. You must have faith in yourself and your future. The bible shows up on every scholars list of the greatest books ever written. It's a powerful compass of faith.

Family

Having others to live for is also a major factor. Why work so hard? Keep progressing? Try to obtain a certain lifestyle? It's for them...

Country

Contrary to modern belief, most people are still good. Your contribution to society is very important. It can be as little as a smile or hello in public to providing opportunity to others. For instance, providing employment that helps sustain a family outside of your immediate.

"When the why gets strong, the how gets easy" -Jim Rohn :thumbsup:

[Vegas69]

I love me some Bison. It has less calories than beef, more protein, less saturated fat, and less cholesterol. :yes: :beavis: It's become my favorite animal protein.

http://www.bisonbasics.com/nutrition/nutrition_comparison2.html

[Tony_SS]

I love me some Bison. It has less calories than beef, more protein, less saturated fat, and less cholesterol. :yes: :beavis: It's become my favorite animal protein.

http://www.bisonbasics.com/nutrition/nutrition_comparison2.html

But saturated fat is THE best fat for you, contrary to popular beliefs. For this reason, I love beef from grass fed cows. It's a lot juicier compared to bison too. Taste better, better for you. :D

I'm trying my hand at some square foot gardening and so far the veggies are growing like gang busters. NO miracle grow or other chemical crap needed. I mixed up peat, vermiculite, and 3 different brands of organic compost (no cow ****!). Mix and dump in a 4'x4'x8" deep box and were are growing carrots, white onions, green onions, snap peas, a variety of bell peppers, tomatoes, spinach and lettuce. Growing food is like printing your own money... its great eats too.

[Vegas69]

Hey buddy, I like chocolate ice cream, you like vanilla. :D

Kelli and I took a course one Saturday at the local community college on gardening in the desert. It was enough for me to decide against it. If you miss one day of watering, you can lose a plant. We actually have a short growing season due to the time available in spring and fall. If I lived in the Midwest, you bet. Nothing like home grown produce.

Good to see you back.

[Vegas69]

Health: A delicate balance of body, mind, and soul.

The mind can devour a healthy body and a rotten body can shape the attitude of a sound mind. A lack of faith in yourself, your future, and something bigger than yourself can bankrupt you in the form of joy, happiness, and fulfillment.

Which makes the greatest difference? That's a tough question. They all make a large contribution to ultimate health. My opinion is that you can have a sound body and mind and still lack great spirit. I know that great strides in a healthier body and mind lead to greater happiness and being. At some point they do become the new "normal" and that new car smell wears off. I think that a healthy spirit can lead to long term fulfillment.

Some of the majors:

Productivity: We must produce positive results. Whether it's work, marriage, or family. Do the best you can.

Friendships/Helping Others: Friends can be a great support system. Investing your time for the benefit of another is one of life's greatest sustainable joys.

Exercise: The body is meant to move, stretch, and be challenged. Start with a walk around the block if you have to. Four thirty minute workouts a weeks is all you need. You can't find the time? :rolleyes:

Nutrition: Study, Track, Experiment... You are what you eat. I don't personally believe that you need to be a Vegan. I also don't believe you should eat a 20 oz steak everyday either. My philosophy is to eat a whole food diet. I like my diet to be in the 75% plant based category with lean meat a majority of the time. Bison, Wild Salmon, I do thing you can eat steak, eggs, ice cream in moderation. I eat healthy 90% of the time. I've studied and experimented enough with nutrition that I can fine tune my weight easily without tracking. Just a tweak in my intake. Usually meat and alcohol as my tendency is to start sliding back where I came from.

Growth: I do an hour of personal development everyday of my life. I'm always reading a new book, listening to one of my 75+ cd's, developing a new skill.

New Experiences: Life can get dull, don't close the door on new ideas and ways of thinking or doing. You may just find something you will enjoy the rest of your days.

Rest: I take a 10 minute rest EVERY afternoon. Call it meditation or a nap, whatever. I'll lay my seat back in my car while at work or lean back in my favorite chair here at the house. Did you know that most of our presidents took a nap everyday in the oval office?

Attitude/Perspective: I do believe that it is a choice to take the high road. However, I think you need new ideas from those that have come before you and have achieved greater success. If you have thought a certain way for 50 years, you need new ammunition to dispute your own conscience. And it will be a challenge and will take a disciplined effort.

Fun: When I first started to overhaul my life, it wasn't any damn fun after a while. It's one thing to make progress and be disciplined, but you have to laugh and have a good time!

Persistence: Not giving up is a form of faith. Even when the cards seem stacked against you, persisting and finishing the job or achieving your goal. Self discipline is one of life's requirements. We must be consistent and it's up to US.

Reflection/Results: I like to use a journal to record my major thoughts and life altering ideas. I also like an accountability partner and to actually look at my numbers, goals and tweak as necessary.

Optimism/Faith: A tough minded optimist see's the challenge as it is, the difference is that he also see's what it can be. He has faith that by doing the right things, there will never be any lack in his life.

Assumptions/Judgments: It's easy to make a negative judgment or assumption against another person. It's a slippery slope. I have been working on this one for a while. I force myself to make a positive assumption of judgement or kill it. Of course there are times that have greater weight and need a negative view. However, I've found that 90% of the time, it's a waste of mental energy.

Love: Making a conscious effort to grow the relationship with your wife and family. Maybe it's you that needs to change? I've found that through all my growth, people are attracted to me and their attitudes have changed.

Religion: I personally believe in God and the lessons of the bible. I think it's a major, major piece of your ultimate health and quality of life.

Lifestyle: The ultimate challenge of life. It's like your favorite recipe. A little of this and a little of that. What delicate balance of life's majors works for you?

Do I have it all figure out? Nope, I don't think that is possible. I do keep adding more value to my life and learning, that is key.

[Tony_SS]

I turned 40 yrs old this past March. I think I'm in the best shape of my life since I was in high school, if not better. But past that, the old cliche of the mid life crisis is becoming real. What have I done with my life, where am I going and what are my goals? I look at my kids and all the sudden my boy is 7, he's crazy smart. In second grade but reads at a 4th grade level. End of the year testing, 40-60 is progressing normal. He scored a 99. This kid is nuts and I feel like I don't spend enough time with him or my daughter. She's going in kindergarten and is already reading at a 2nd grade level. Right now is the opportunity for me to make their life great. This is going to be satisfying for me, not the typical red Corvette you hear about when the old man turns 40. Growing up very selfish myself, with extremely selfish parents, one thing I've been striving for is to NOT carry on their bad trait. I'm learning that it's very enjoyable to give away your time to those who you love. It's one of the most rewarding things in life.

Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day
Fritter and waste the hours in an off-hand way
Kicking around on a piece of ground in your home town
Waiting for someone or something to show you the way

Tired of lying in the sunshine staying home to watch the rain
You are young and life is long and there is time to kill today
And then one day you find ten years have got behind you
No one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun

And you run and you run to catch up with the sun but it's sinking
Racing around to come up behind you again
The sun is the same in a relative way, but you're older
Shorter of breath and one day closer to death

Every year is getting shorter, never seem to find the time
Plans that either come to naught or half a page of scribbled lines
Hanging on in quiet desperation is the English way
The time is gone, the song is over, thought I'd something more to say

Home, home again
I like to be here when I can
When I come home cold and tired
It's good to warm my bones beside the fire
Far away, across the field
The tolling of the iron bell
Calls the faithful to their knees
To hear the softly spoken magic spell

JwYX52BP2Sk

[Vegas69]

Tony, being self aware and willing to change is a big deal. A majority of Americans simply aren't comfortable analyzing their own life, traits, and looking for positive change. It's easier to be complacent, blame your parents, the government, economy, weather, etc... for a life that is less than you hoped for. I'm guilty of it in my past as well.

I admit that I had barely a clue of why my life wasn't going the direction I had hoped when I started down this road of personal development. One of the hardest pills to swallow along the way has been learning my many weaknesses. Now, I'm definitely aware of them but I'm working on them through different perspective and attitude. It takes time to form bad habits and traits just like it will take time to make progress on those weaknesses. The positive side is you also learn your strengths and that is key. You can improve on that side of the court as well.

I've learned of my strengths and weaknesses through books, tests, and asking for other's opinions. How do they see me? My wife, close friend, employees, that was a very valuable exercise. Three perceived strengths and two constructive criticisms.

[glassman]

Key word, "constructive".

Friggen great song by one of my fave's...."you run you run to catch up with the sun, but its sinking, the sun is the same in a relative way but your older, a shortness of breath and one day closer to death."
Dark but true, very true. Very sad dark band, but one of the best of all time....imo

[RussMurco]

Update on my progress...
I have cut out all sodas, the headaches only lasted for a couple of days...
I've cut out 95% of sugars...
I've cut out 95% of wheat-based products...
My weight is down to 260 (from 275) over the 6 weeks or so...
Feeling and sleeping much better...
Have ALMOST stopped smoking completely. That last 5-10 per day are a real struggle but I feel cutting back from 30+ a day is heading in the right direction...

A friend pointed my post out to me this morning, thought it would be a good time to update my progress...
http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o713/Ravenworks-PorterMuffler/IMG_1589_zps2df02ac3.jpg (http://s1339.photobucket.com/user/Ravenworks-PorterMuffler/media/IMG_1589_zps2df02ac3.jpg.html)
Yup, I'm down below 240 for the 1st time in years! The lack of sugars has helped tremendously with craving crap foods and I'm following what is essentially a "Paleo diet" for now. I did make my own BBQ ribs for the 4th of July but cut down on the sugar I used in my rub. Still felt a little funny after eating it but I only had a few ribs, my meal portions have dropped a bit too. I'm going to get a full check-up at the annual doctor inspection next month, going to get some blood work now that I'm eating better.
Still struggling with the cigarettes, though. I'll ask for the anti-smoking pills when I see the doctor as I've had 4 friends actually quit with them, even though I hate taking meds...

[Stuart Adams]

Very cool.

[Vegas69]

Awesome Russ, keep your momentum.

[Vegas69]

Allergens:

There are three major categories that we can work on to reduce our toxic load. The less we make our immune system and organs labor, the more vibrant you will feel.

Food/Water: Where your food is sourced and the chemicals used is important. Eating whole foods and USDA organics is a good start. Reducing your dairy and wheat intake is also a good trend in the right direction. As they tend to be two that create some problems. Dairy has been linked to breast and prostate cancer but that's a different discussion.

Our immune system is largely in our digestive system. Pre and Probiotics are crucial to healthy digestive balance and strong immune system. Pre comes from fresh fruits and vegetables, pro normally comes from yogurts and supplements. I eat mostly coconut yogurt with occasional non fat dairy. Probiotics are strains of good bacteria that fight the bad in our guts. The balance can lean towards the bad with a poor diet and over consumption of alcohol. This can lead to constipation, chronic sickness, and lethargy to name a few.

Many foods can grow mold without you knowing it. Things that sit in your cupboard and even your fresh veggies. Mold can be a problem for some. Peanut Butter has a tendency to have to much mold. Consider rotating almond/sunflower butter into the mix. All natural of course.... It's recommended to wash produce with vitamin C crystals to remove molds and chemicals.

How you prepare your food is also important. Using Teflon/Non Stick pans can slowly load your system with PFOA which our bodies have trouble eliminating. Even aluminum or stainless steel can load our bodies with Nickel/Aluminum and other harmful compounds. It is recommended to use cast iron, glass, or ceramic. Cast iron actually helps us with our iron needs. Wood utensils eliminate the leaching while cooking and won't scrape up your pans.

Storing your food in plastic or heating a plastic container in the microwave is not advisable. Many are bpa free these days but glass should be your goal for all storage. Plastics can leach. Also, for your young kids. Make sure their toys are bpa free.

Water is a huge deal. They haven't changed the regulations much in a long time. That means that many chemicals that have become prominent in our environment aren't regulated. I have a whole house filtration system that removes particles and chlorine. This comes into play with showering as well as the chlorine and chemicals are inhaled and absorbed through the skin. We have bottled water delivered that is sourced responsibly and filtered thoroughly for drinking a majority of the time. A good reverse osmosis system will do the trick.

Alcohol in moderation. The fermentation effects some worse than others. Fermentation creates mold and it does effect your allergies. I know it does mine. In fact, it seems certain alcoholic drinks are worse than others. I'm sure it comes down to the ingredients and process.

Air: Enviromental loads come with the territory. Where you live dictates the air we breath. Las Vegas has some of the worst air in the nation but there are things we can do to control our indoor air quality.

Some new furniture leaches formaldehyde for years. (The cheap stuff) Chemicals should be in the garage like paints. Cleaners used should be non toxic. Large HEPA filtration units in different areas of your home with a charcoal filter clean up the air greatly. Buy the better filters for your AC/Furnace and change them often. Keep the house clean and animals bathed. The goal is to reduce compounds like the VOC's from cars, industry, dust mites, pollen, and on down the line.

Take a shower before bed to remove the pollen, chemicals, and dust mites from your body. This will improve the air you breath at night and extend the service life of your pillow and mattress.

Dust mites which live on your dead skin congregate in your pillow and mattress over time. Replace your pillow on a regular basis and your mattress every 5 years. We actually inhale the dust mites and they can take a toll on your respiratory system. Constant problems with your respiratory health may lead you to the recommendations here.

Skin: This is one I didn't really think about until finishing a book recently. Most of the soap used is anti-bacterial. The problem, it kills GOOD and bad bacteria. That means you are removing the bacteria that is your first line of defense against sickness and disease. They make probiotic soaps that are gentle on the good and help eliminate the bad. I read and plan to try it, but she claims you can get away with natural deodorant after restoring the good bacteria on your skin. That means not subjecting yourself to the Anhydrous in your deodorant which has aluminum and adds to your toxic load. Clearly chemicals like oils, brake cleans, etc. are bad and can cause long term problems. Use gloves to reduce your toxic load.

I don't know about you, but I want to achieve the greatest physical health possible. These small changes compound into greater cellular health and play a role in overall health. The state of our bodies directly effect our mental health.

To take it one step further, the elimination of toxic load on our bodies may very well extend our lives and help us avoid major sickness like cancer. This is speculation on my part but it can't hurt.

I hope this helps you and your family become healthier and more vibrant.

[RussMurco]

Todd,
Thanks for the informative posting, as usual!
You mentioned chemicals that we use and this is something I know well! I used to have a brake shop a few years back and I started getting sick on a regular basis after a couple of years of doing that work. It turned out the brake cleaner and other chemicals we used regularly were getting to my liver! Any chemicals we get on our hands, or skin, ends up in our liver within 30-45 minutes and can cause all sorts of health issues! now I use gloves at all times when working with chemicals and recommend the same to others!

[Vegas69]

Russ, you are welcome buddy! Glad to hear you figured it out before it really destroyed your health. Allergens are anything that causes our bodies to work to eliminate them. Many chemicals are very difficult for our liver and kidneys to eliminate as we just weren't meant to be exposed to them. Over time our toxic load can get to high and that can lead to severe consequence.
Modern times has brought in a slew of variables from industry, pharmaceuticals, over population in some areas, and convenience from everyday products. We must continually adapt to our surroundings and analyze seemingly inconsequential choices.

[Vegas69]

"I have heard it said that most men spend their entire lives perfecting their faults. That is, you acquire a fault when you are young, emphasize it all the rest of your life, and finally die with it." -Norman Vincent Peale

I underlined this in a book I just finished by the late, great, Norman Vincent Peale. The book is Navigate. It's a unique perspective. We've all heard that most never change. We all know somebody, maybe it's you. There is nothing wrong with it, if that's the life you wish to lead. It's my philosophy that we are meant to grow continually. Not just mine, it's in the bible and a majority of the most successful American's throughout history would agree. You go one of two directions, you progress or you recede. Once you stop fighting for territory, what you don't want automatically takes over.

It could be a thought process that has nagged you since childhood. A fear that has shackled you from creating real success on your terms. A habit that has progressively gotten worse with time. Today, I challenge you to pick out something and begin the process of changing it.

If you go to the bar every Wednesday night, how about volunteering at a homeless shelter instead?

If you fear public speaking, go to toastmasters?

If you never exercise, how about walking around the block every other day this week?

If you are blaming your wife for the problems in your marriage, how about doing something special for her that has been neglected for how long?

If you haven't read a book in some time, how about reading one that will help you with my challenge?

If you want to improve your finances, how about starting with a balance sheet that outlines your income, debts, and net worth and taking action?

If you want to lose weight, how about reading a book on nutrition and tracking your daily calorie intake?

Instead of judging everyone we meet, how about consciously accepting them for who they are? (Unless warranted)

Instead of letting someone get under your skin like they usually do, how about not taking it personally?

If you have religious faith, how about getting back to church?

I'll use the analogy of building a car. If you make a little progress on yourself, every, single, day. You can begin the creation of a masterpiece. It's those new perspectives, emotions, thought processes, habits, and faith that get you on the path to a progressively greater existence.

[Tony_SS]

Todd, did you say you take Green Vibrance? What was it that cured your digestive issues?

[Vegas69]

Tony, hope you are well buddy. I am still taking Green Vibrance everyday in my smoothie. It did help my digestion but I also feel it helps bump me up a notch from a overall health perspective. Are you having digestive issues?

[Vegas69]

I've neglected this thread so I thought I'd take the opportunity to update it with Tony's question. If you digestive system works like a clock, move on to Dave's 10 year saga to build a car that runs. :popcorn2: If not, read on....

Phase One:
Most fit into this category to have a free flowing digestive system.

A balanced whole food diet will suffice. That means you are getting enough fruits, vegetables, and grains to provide enough fiber to keep things moving.

Fibers:
Soluble: Whole Grains/Fruits & Veggies
Whole grains absorb 3 times their weight in water to help with pushing things through.
Pectin in fruits and veggies can hold up to 100 times their weight in water to help with the plumbing.

Insoluble: White Bread/Absorbs no water

We must move to keep the plumbing working. Setting on your ass for a majority of your life can effect your digestive system. Being active will help your regularity.

Water intake is crucial for most. 80-120 ounces a day depending on your lifestyle. Coffee is a diuretic but things fruits and veggies contribute to your water intake.

Phase 2: I personally fit into this category. I've played hell getting my plumbing working properly with a fantastic diet, exersize program, and plenty of water.

A probiotic is helpful. A good start is 25,000,000,000. That's right, billion. That helps balance the good bacteria vs. the bad in the gut. This helps with plumbing but also your immune system.

Oils: Olive Oil, Flaxseed, and other healthy oils help lube the system and generate more bile which helps keep more moisture in our stool.

Magnesium: A trace mineral that is supposed to be in our water. It's filtered out in bottled water and RO. This also helps keep water in our stool. Constipation happens for most due to the fact that the colon removes to much moisture, to quickly. Start with 400 mg a day, than go to 800mg. If you get to crapping through a screen door, you went to far. ha

Cascara Sagrada: Tree bark which is an old Indian herb. This helps you get the urge to go. It promotes the contraction of your colon.

I've tried every single one and they all work. You have to find your magic combination. If you have a normal digestive system, phase one will suffice. If you have a problem. (I believe mine is underproductive bile) then you need phase 2. I'd start with magnesium and more oils. If you have a lifestyle problem that fits in phase 1, you can cover up the problem in phase two. I'd recommend you clean it up before it costs you, big time.

If you are over active, I'd look at reducing your magnesium which could come through a multi vitamin or your oil intake.

Hope this helps fellas. Dinner is ready..

[Tony_SS]

Tony, hope you are well buddy. I am still taking Green Vibrance everyday in my smoothie. It did help my digestion but I also feel it helps bump me up a notch from a overall health perspective. Are you having digestive issues?

Sure am. I do a probiotic.. I guess not enough though. I do not eat wheat as I have adverse effect to it, so I need to get my fiber from other things. I drink plenty of water and unsweet tea. I think I need more green in my diet. I don't do cheese or any diary at all anymore, so I know it's not that. I still do apple cider vinegar, I'm doing all the right things (I think) but it's not moving very well. TMI? lol. I'm going to try and hit up the green peppers.. they seem to do the trick.

[glassman]

Sure am. I do a probiotic.. I guess not enough though. I do not eat wheat as I have adverse effect to it, so I need to get my fiber from other things. I drink plenty of water and unsweet tea. I think I need more green in my diet. I don't do cheese or any diary at all anymore, so I know it's not that. I still do apple cider vinegar, I'm doing all the right things (I think) but it's not moving very well. TMI? lol. I'm going to try and hit up the green peppers.. they seem to do the trick.

Not TMI imo lol (way toooo many acronyms, wtf?).....seriously, it shows your trying to do something about your health. I still have issues with certain dietary areas and WILL be seeing a nutritionists soon cause i sure cant figure out whats going on......list of things, overalll healthy, but i want to feel not so tired, sore all the time....but keep chipping away!!! i am!!!

[Vegas69]

Fellas, magnesium is a life saver for me. I take 400 mg in the morning and evening for 800mg total. It really softened up my stool and I empty out almost every morning now. I usually go 2-3 times a day. It wasn't long ago when I was lucky to go 2-3 times a week!

If you aren't going everyday a majority of the time, you have health to gain. A healthy transit time from mouth to stool is under 36 hours. For peak health, I'd say under 24 hours.

If your stool is normally hard and difficult to pass, start with 400 mg of magnesium and then go to 800 if that doesn't work.

If you just don't get the urge, try the Cascara Sagrada. It will help as I still take it.

I tried every combination of diet known to man including ultra high fiber. I tried drinking 100-120 ounces a day of water. I tried extra oils. Bottom line, my body removes to much water from my stool, naturally. The magnesium keeps more water in our stool which is the key.

[nicks67ca]

Its been a while since I read this thread but my wife and I followed the south beach diet which is really nothing more than cutting out sugars and carbs and eating more greens and i'm down 20 and she's down 10. I still cheat but i have totally changed how I eat normally. Very little bread / pasta more ground turkey, chicken and lots of veggies. keep at it guys we are not getting younger.....

[glassman]

Bottom line, my body removes to much water from my stool, naturally. The magnesium keeps more water in our stool which is the key.

How'd you find this out? what type of test?
I'm way regular with #2.
Am always thirsty, but always peeing (clear not brite yellow indicating dehydration) and only drink 30 to 50 oz per day...

Whats the magnesium's purpose? mainly for stool?

[glassman]

Its been a while since I read this thread but my wife and I followed the south beach diet which is really nothing more than cutting out sugars and carbs and eating more greens and i'm down 20 and she's down 10. I still cheat but i have totally changed how I eat normally. Very little bread / pasta more ground turkey, chicken and lots of veggies. keep at it guys we are not getting younger.....

South beach diet is good imo.

I eat 4-6 helpings of fruit or vege's each day, spaced out (like me)....but am seriously addicted to carbs...

[Vegas69]

Don't take the magnesium if you are regular, it will take you to far.. ha

[Tony_SS]

Not TMI imo lol (way toooo many acronyms, wtf?).....seriously, it shows your trying to do something about your health. I still have issues with certain dietary areas and WILL be seeing a nutritionists soon cause i sure cant figure out whats going on......list of things, overalll healthy, but i want to feel not so tired, sore all the time....but keep chipping away!!! i am!!!

Mike, look into adrenal fatigue, its messes with your thyroid and will run your body down. You might be deficient in vitamins and minerals somewhere. Not all doctors and nutritionists are the same! Ben Fuchs is my go to guy. He's a pharmacists and a nutritional specialist. He has a daily radio show. Check him out.

[Vegas69]

Fellas, I've neglected this thread for a long while so I thought I'd fire it back up!

I'm still doing the deal some 4 years later. I've now done thousands of hours of personal development teamed with putting the ideas into action. One of the biggest positives in life is that our growth is limitless. The strength of our marriage, influence on our kids, support for our friends, how healthy we feel, our incomes, net worth, impact through benevolence, contentment, and last but certainly not least, the depth of our faith.

Some of the goals all this hard work has engendered over that time:

A much stronger marriage
A much stronger leader
A much stronger faith
Making a difference in my community through benevolence
Tripled my income and net worth
100% Debt free (The house, land, cars are all paid for) The business is run debt free as well.
From a pessimist to an optimist (Tested)
Top 40 real estate agent/Under 40 in Southern Nevada
Cleaned up so many health deficiencies (B12 deficiency, Regularity, Sleeping habits, Whole foods based diet, and the list goes on and on) Lost 35 lbs initially.
Ran a mile at 6:15 pace. Placed 15th out of 369 runners in a 5K.
Learned to manage my energy and time wisely
Worked hard on a personality of equanimity. Patience, contentment, judging others and myself, accepting responsibility, etc..
I've learned to manage my own mind more effectively than ever and have good self awareness.

I'm certainly not listing these things to puff out my chest. i just think it's important to show that I've walked the walk consistently. I've put in the hard work!

It takes some serious self discovery to make way for BIG change. That means uncovering some serious weaknesses along the way that need attention. I think that's a big stumbling block for most. Do you really want to know? It's hard on the mind until you learn to accept things and your self to a large degree and move forward. Get more effective and managing yourself. At the end of the day, self management is one of the huge secrets of success. You simply need the tools and that happens through work.

The positive side, you also discover your strengths along the way and your tendencies. They are discovered through books and many tests out there to give you a better understanding of why you are wired a certain way. These strengths can be harnessed and honed to help you progress in any area.

For instance: I've learned that I'm an introvert by nature in a sales job. I've learned to be extroverted M-F. On the weekends I've learned to avoid busy places like concerts and places where I must engage. I recharge in nature or spending time alone. This is energy management. Time management is said to be the best kept secret of the rich. How about the energy you have to spend on that time? More importantly, the energy you have for your family and passions?

Learning what makes you tick is key to energy management. So are focusing on value in your days. Learning what is of greatest value in your business every day so you have piercing focus. That can diminish a 50 hour work week to 35 easily with better results.

Life is always a delicate balancing act. We aren't meant to figure it all out, but I believe we are meant to keep improving, tweaking, renewing, and getting better. Being ambitious and content is a tall order. One I've worked hard on as of late.
Contentment comes from simplicity, lack of debt, and definitely your attitude towards your future.

I could go on for days....

A good place to start:


Change a habit today. Read a positive book or watch a video first thing in the morning with your coffee. End the day the same way as you lie in bed. You control both ends of your day. The start and the ending. Your attitude will improve immediately. Make it a habit by doing it EVERYDAY for at least 30 days. A good book to start with is WOODEN. A great book buy John Wooden.

"You attract the things to yourself by the person you become."-Jim Rohn

What do you guys have to add?

[Vegas69]

Why have Americans become so unhealthy in our push button society? Diseases including diabetes, heart disease, and cancer have become an epidemic in our country over the last 50 years.

Food Consumption
Do yourself a favor, pull something out of your pantry, fridge, or off the shelf at the super market. Look at all the ingredients you can't pronounce that are listed for a mile. Those are engineered fillers and preservatives. They extend the life of the product and increase the manufacturers bottom line. Do you think they are healthy? How good do you think the quality is at McDonalds with their 2 for 2.50?

Americans have become dependent on quick and easy and the food manufacturers oblige.

We are meant to eat whole foods as much as possible. Your grandparents had a garden and fresh meat. It's really a simple philosophy. If you can't pronounce it and you don't know what it is, eat as little of it as possible. Fresh whole foods are disease fighters. All these engineered ingredients, they increase your toxic load.

I believe in a balanced diet. I don't believe in being a Vegan or the Atkins diet. That's to far out of balance. My personal philosophy after trial and error for years is a 75/25 diet. That means 75% of my calories come from plants, 25% come for animals. The whole food plants are disease fighters with there antioxidants and lean meats supply our bodies with necessary fats, amino acids, and proteins.

I also believe in a high quality multi vitamin to fill in the gaps. Many don't, but I think it makes a difference.

Sedentary Lifestyle
Who has time to exercise? You better find it! We are meant to move, not sit around in an office chair all day. Exercise in moderation keeps us healthy by reducing weight, increasing vitality, and reducing stress. Our bones and muscles are meant to be challenged on a regular basis to keep us young and vibrant.

3-4 days of 30 minutes will do. I like to work out early in the morning so it's a priority and work or life doesn't get in the way. Schedule it like you would a meeting at the office. Otherwise it won't happen!

Stress
Americans are working more hours than ever with less vacation time. All to pay for bigger houses, fancier cars, and huge mounds of student loan debt. They keep digging a deeper and deeper hole. The diet goes first, then the exercise, then the marriage, and last but certainly not least, the health. Stress in excess is a killer.

Stress can be reduced in many ways. Exercise, Alcohol in moderation, Sex, Journaling, Talking things out, and the list goes on. Shutting out your work is a big one. We need to detach from our email and cell phones. I shut mine off almost every day when I get home. It can wait...

Influence
You can't pump a gallon of gas these days without fox news playing at the pump. It's everywhere... Americans are being duped into thinking the country isn't great anymore and opportunities aren't what they once were. These news organizations are feasting on us and making a HUGE profit. It's eroding the attitudes of our people.

The truth, there has never been a better time to take advantage of the freedom we are blessed to have. You must learn to control your influences and engender a positive attitude and outlier perspective. That or you can follow the herd?

There is plenty of positive influence out there. You must seek it.

Healthy Habit #2
Yesterday I said to start by reading a positive book first thing and last thing. 10-15 minutes each time.

Today, let's talk about a breakfast that is guaranteed to make you feel great! I've been drinking this smoothie for years and it always takes me up a notch or two. I drink it every other day.

12 oz of Unsweetened Almond Milk
Scoop of Vegan protein powder
Scoop of Green Vibrance (Full of superfoods and probiotics)
Scoop of Oatmeal
Half scoop of Flax Seeds
Cup of Blueberries (Organic)
Handful of Carrots (Organic)
Handful of Spinach (Organic)
10 oz of Coconut Water

The bottom line, we must take care of our bodies by eating healthy foods, moving, reducing stress, and managing our influences.

[SSLance]

We are practicing (or trying to practice) a lot of what you preach above ourselves Todd. The whole foods part we started about 4 years ago, it is amazing the amount of crap in each grocery store that we don't even look at anymore. It does take more frequent trips to the store and we are only feeding two people, but it is worth it.

My wife gave up any meat that grows on 4 legs or less for 6 months as a test and recently started to enjoy a good natural protein again. She gained a bit of weight but other than that had no other positive outcomes from quitting beef, pork and chicken. We don't eat a ton of red meat but some is beneficial I am convinced. I just wish we had a more ample supply of good natural raised seafood available here in the Midwest, lots of farm raised stuff but it's almost as bad as processed foods...

We are also reducing our stress load BIG TIME. Retiring from retail was a big part of that for me. End of Sept will be a year for me, we are closing on the sale of our commercial building next week and that will be a huge load taken off of the responsibility list for me. My attitude has been so much better after adjusting to the non-retail life. I still get up every morning, eat a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast, get dressed and head to my office in my outbuilding to work my wholesale business but my schedule is soooo much more flexible now. Weather is good, lets take the dogs for a walk before lunch, have errands to run, hop in the car with the wife and run them...she loves me to chauffeur her around, spur of the moment out of town trip for pleasure, we can be ready to hop in the new RV and head out in less than a couple of hours. I do most of my work on my phone anyway so I can pretty much work from anywhere unless I have to receive a shipment which can be arranged ahead of time as well.

Now...the latest issue... Our cable TV\internet\phone bill just went up another $30 a month and we are seriously considering cutting the cord completely. The wife has been ready to do this for years, I'm a bit more hesitant...I do enjoy relaxing on the couch and watching some car related cable shows that I've recorded on the DVR and all of that will go away if we cut the cord. Most of the TV we watch together is network channel related and we get all of the networks OTA so that isn't a big deal (except the loss of the DVR, I hate commercials). Still looking at all options here but something has to change in that area.

Still need to go back and get my bloodwork checked...been a few years now. I have high triglycerides but everything else is pretty normal. Doc always wants to put me on meds for my triglycerides but I won't do it. I'm 6'0", 175#s and am in pretty good shape for an almost 50 year old I think. We don't work out per se but are plenty active and I can keep up with most half my age in walking, hiking, manual labor, and what not. The wife is big into yoga and yes, I've been a few times...I like it as it is low impact and stretching is good...and its' way more of a workout that one might think. I just don't make to time to go regularly as she does.

That's it for now...gotta get breakfast ate and head over to the salt mine... :D

[68Cuda]

OK Todd, I'll "bite".

My wife has been gluten free for 2+ years. She just does not feel good when she eats anything with gluten in it.

My 7 year old boy is very thin. When he was a baby he could not process mother's milk, dairy, soy, and etcetera. We had to get a special prescription based synthetic formula to feed him. There are a multitude of foods he cannot process or won't eat because they bother him.

My wife has been trying for years to figure out the right diet for him. In March we went to a local place that has programs focusing on diet, nutrition, functional medicine, and etcetera. I was skeptical, some of it is what is considered holistic or alternative medicine and I have seen plenty of scams in this wide and unregulated field.

I could not see how we were going to pull off this program if my wife and youngest ate by one set of rules and the rest of the family by another. I was, and still am overweight. I committed to the program along with my son and we changed the diet for the whole family.

March 21st, 2016 I started tracking what I eat. A week later I started the diet program in earnest. I have not made any effort to limit how much I eat. I eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Otherwise if I am hungry I eat a snack.


Since March 21st I have lost 46 pounds.


My 13 year old son went down about 14 pounds. He plays football and went through spring training and summer conditioning on the diet. He plays center and linebacker. He is as strong as or stronger than the 160 pound linemen on his team, weighs about 115 pounds, and runs with the backs and receivers.


My 13 year old daughter lost about 16 pounds. She is now 5'4" and wears a size 0 dress. She goes to Judo a few times a week with my wife.


My wife has lost some weight, but I am too smart to ask how much. She is very fit anyway, weight was not an issue for her.


My 7 year old is eating some things he was not able to before, and we are slowly working through one thing at a time testing for reactions. He seems happier and more focused than before, time will tell!


To meet my initial goal I will need to loose 27 more pounds by the end of the year. My first trip to the gym was yesterday, otherwise I have not done any exercise since I started the program other than occasionally walking my dog.

I used to drink 4-6 12oz cans of diet Pepsi per day. On March 21st I cut back to 1. On March 24th I drank the last one and have not had a soda since. I used to drink 1-2 in the afternoon because I would crash in the early afternoon and needed something to get me going. I no longer have this issue, it probably had more to do with what I was eating at lunch.

Rules on the diet:
No caffeine.

No sugar.

No sugar substitutes.

No gluten.

No dairy.

No GMOs.

Whenever possible eat organic produce or fruit. Especially the "dirty dozen".

Beef - grass fed if possible.

Chicken - organic, preferably free range.

Eggs - organic, prefer cage free.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner consist of 2 options:
1 serving protein, 1 serving fat, 3 servings vegetable.
1 serving carbs, 3 servings vegetable.

Serving size is roughly a handful 4-6 ounces.

Never eat carbs together with fat / protein.

I can have up to two servings of fruit per day if I wish. Cannot be during a meal. Has to be at least 2 hours after or at least 1 hour before a meal.

Before breakfast, lunch and dinner we drink our cranberry drink. The mix is prepared in a pitcher. 1 QT organic Cranberry juice, 1-1/2 ounces of Bragg's Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, 5-1/2 ounces of organic Lemon juice. We pour 2 ounces of this mixture into a glass along with 6 ounces of water - that is the drink.

Twice a day eat a tablespoon of fermented foods. For me that is 1/2 of a Bubbies brand dill pickle.

Drink a minimum of 1 ounce of water for every 2 pounds of body weight per day. For example, if you weigh 200 lbs, drink at least 100 ounces of water.



Not an easy diet to start with. You start by eliminating one thing at a time. Once you are on the diet and feeling great it is hard to imagine eating the stuff that you used to eat.

Cost wise I think we spend almost 1-1/2 times as much as we used to on food at the grocery stores. We also do not eat out much at all any more, but overall we are spending more on food. Shopping can be a hassle, if it is not a familiar brand you read the label. We do not buy much of anything in a box any more. It is shocking the garbage that is added to food. Go to your local store, pick up a loaf of bread, and read the ingredients. Many of them have gluten added on top of the gluten in the wheat! The added gluten makes the bread more springy and gives the perception of freshness.

I also had an H.Pylori bacterial infection. This caused me to have constant reflux issues, I was taking antacids several times a week and had to sleep on my side. They put me on a treatment that eliminated the H.Pylori and I now sleep on my back, on my stomach, or pretty much any way I happen to lay down! Awesome! I have not had any antacid, aspirin, allergy pills or medication of any kind since March. That and I can fearlessly eat spicy foods, chilies and grilled onions which just made me miserable before.

After you have been on a clean diet they check you out and put you on a 4 week detox program to help "clean out" your system. That was tough, especially week 3 with no meat! The general diet is what caused me to lose weight, the detox did not change that.

You can do most of this on your own I suppose. Our program includes some medical supervision and a few blood tests. I would have not known about the cause of my reflux if I had not been in the program.

I often eat out at work with the guys. I can always find something on the menu I can eat. I also take a bag of snap peas and/or carrots with me to snack on if the restaurant does not have good vegetable options.

Last week we went to Colorado on vacation. We rented a house for the week. We have a family of 5, it is about the same price as renting a hotel room or rooms. Renting the house allowed us to shop at local grocery stores and prepare most of our meals. We ate breakfast at the house and packed our lunch. We only ate out 3 times. The kids of course complain about restaurant foods, they like my wife's and my cooking better. When we were in Telluride we stopped in at a shop and got a chocolate treat for everyone. Wow! What a sugar rush! It was a treat, something you do once per month maybe, but the only "big" violation of my diet since March. We buy chocolate coconut milk based ice cream about once a week for the family. It has some sugar but no dairy. By the letter it is not within the bounds of the diet either.

While on vacation we went hiking. One day about 6 miles at 8,400' and another day about 10 miles at 8,000'. No issues keeping up with the kids. Did not get tired. It was about 70, I did sweat a little on my back under the daypack. I imagine if I weighed as much as I did in March I would not have done as well.

[Vegas69]

We are practicing (or trying to practice) a lot of what you preach above ourselves Todd. The whole foods part we started about 4 years ago, it is amazing the amount of crap in each grocery store that we don't even look at anymore. It does take more frequent trips to the store and we are only feeding two people, but it is worth it.

My wife gave up any meat that grows on 4 legs or less for 6 months as a test and recently started to enjoy a good natural protein again. She gained a bit of weight but other than that had no other positive outcomes from quitting beef, pork and chicken. We don't eat a ton of red meat but some is beneficial I am convinced. I just wish we had a more ample supply of good natural raised seafood available here in the Midwest, lots of farm raised stuff but it's almost as bad as processed foods...

We are also reducing our stress load BIG TIME. Retiring from retail was a big part of that for me. End of Sept will be a year for me, we are closing on the sale of our commercial building next week and that will be a huge load taken off of the responsibility list for me. My attitude has been so much better after adjusting to the non-retail life. I still get up every morning, eat a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast, get dressed and head to my office in my outbuilding to work my wholesale business but my schedule is soooo much more flexible now. Weather is good, lets take the dogs for a walk before lunch, have errands to run, hop in the car with the wife and run them...she loves me to chauffeur her around, spur of the moment out of town trip for pleasure, we can be ready to hop in the new RV and head out in less than a couple of hours. I do most of my work on my phone anyway so I can pretty much work from anywhere unless I have to receive a shipment which can be arranged ahead of time as well.

Now...the latest issue... Our cable TV\internet\phone bill just went up another $30 a month and we are seriously considering cutting the cord completely. The wife has been ready to do this for years, I'm a bit more hesitant...I do enjoy relaxing on the couch and watching some car related cable shows that I've recorded on the DVR and all of that will go away if we cut the cord. Most of the TV we watch together is network channel related and we get all of the networks OTA so that isn't a big deal (except the loss of the DVR, I hate commercials). Still looking at all options here but something has to change in that area.

Still need to go back and get my bloodwork checked...been a few years now. I have high triglycerides but everything else is pretty normal. Doc always wants to put me on meds for my triglycerides but I won't do it. I'm 6'0", 175#s and am in pretty good shape for an almost 50 year old I think. We don't work out per se but are plenty active and I can keep up with most half my age in walking, hiking, manual labor, and what not. The wife is big into yoga and yes, I've been a few times...I like it as it is low impact and stretching is good...and its' way more of a workout that one might think. I just don't make to time to go regularly as she does.

That's it for now...gotta get breakfast ate and head over to the salt mine... :D

Lance, Good for you and your wife! I agree, I think there are benefits from red meat. Mainly fats, amino acids, and protein. I believe saturated fats are ok in moderation. What most miss, red meat has a good amount of what most believe are healthy fats as well. I don't recall if it's mono or poly, but you get the point.

If you have a Costco close, I know they have wild caught Alaskan Salmon from time to time.

Simplicity! I love it! I'm working on the same thing. It's a HUGE part of contentment. Being over busy gets f'in old. What's the point if you can't enjoy life. I believe we must put in the time and burn the midnight oil for periods, but that's not what life is about. Quit digging a deeper hole and enjoy what you HAVE! That's a big part of why I paid off my house and hired a new assistant that can play more roles. It gives me so much more flexibility to be a good Dad, volunteer, and become financially independent. It's called living well below your means.

One thing I left out above is, our grandparents generation moved naturally. They worked on farms, they knew manual labor. That kept them healthy without them knowing. Today, Americans don't get enough natural exercise. That's why it needs to become a priority to get the blood flowing.

With your new diet, your cholesterol should be within guidelines. It would be interesting to compare. If it's still to high, try my 75/25 diet. My total cholesterol was in the 120's last time. My doctor was amazed. He thought I was a Vegan. ha

[98ssnova]

Count macros......... more macros gain weight less macros..... lose weight. There is some work involved in this but if you do some research you can be very successful. If it fits you macros IIFYM diet.

[Vegas69]

OK Todd, I'll "bite".

My wife has been gluten free for 2+ years. She just does not feel good when she eats anything with gluten in it.

My 7 year old boy is very thin. When he was a baby he could not process mother's milk, dairy, soy, and etcetera. We had to get a special prescription based synthetic formula to feed him. There are a multitude of foods he cannot process or won't eat because they bother him.

My wife has been trying for years to figure out the right diet for him. In March we went to a local place that has programs focusing on diet, nutrition, functional medicine, and etcetera. I was skeptical, some of it is what is considered holistic or alternative medicine and I have seen plenty of scams in this wide and unregulated field.

I could not see how we were going to pull off this program if my wife and youngest ate by one set of rules and the rest of the family by another. I was, and still am overweight. I committed to the program along with my son and we changed the diet for the whole family.

March 21st, 2016 I started tracking what I eat. A week later I started the diet program in earnest. I have not made any effort to limit how much I eat. I eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Otherwise if I am hungry I eat a snack.


Since March 21st I have lost 46 pounds.


My 13 year old son went down about 14 pounds. He plays football and went through spring training and summer conditioning on the diet. He plays center and linebacker. He is as strong as or stronger than the 160 pound linemen on his team, weighs about 115 pounds, and runs with the backs and receivers.


My 13 year old daughter lost about 16 pounds. She is now 5'4" and wears a size 0 dress. She goes to Judo a few times a week with my wife.


My wife has lost some weight, but I am too smart to ask how much. She is very fit anyway, weight was not an issue for her.


My 7 year old is eating some things he was not able to before, and we are slowly working through one thing at a time testing for reactions. He seems happier and more focused than before, time will tell!


To meet my initial goal I will need to loose 27 more pounds by the end of the year. My first trip to the gym was yesterday, otherwise I have not done any exercise since I started the program other than occasionally walking my dog.

I used to drink 4-6 12oz cans of diet Pepsi per day. On March 21st I cut back to 1. On March 24th I drank the last one and have not had a soda since. I used to drink 1-2 in the afternoon because I would crash in the early afternoon and needed something to get me going. I no longer have this issue, it probably had more to do with what I was eating at lunch.

Rules on the diet:
No caffeine.

No sugar.

No sugar substitutes.

No gluten.

No dairy.

No GMOs.

Whenever possible eat organic produce or fruit. Especially the "dirty dozen".

Beef - grass fed if possible.

Chicken - organic, preferably free range.

Eggs - organic, prefer cage free.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner consist of 2 options:
1 serving protein, 1 serving fat, 3 servings vegetable.
1 serving carbs, 3 servings vegetable.

Serving size is roughly a handful 4-6 ounces.

Never eat carbs together with fat / protein.

I can have up to two servings of fruit per day if I wish. Cannot be during a meal. Has to be at least 2 hours after or at least 1 hour before a meal.

Before breakfast, lunch and dinner we drink our cranberry drink. The mix is prepared in a pitcher. 1 QT organic Cranberry juice, 1-1/2 ounces of Bragg's Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, 5-1/2 ounces of organic Lemon juice. We pour 2 ounces of this mixture into a glass along with 6 ounces of water - that is the drink.

Twice a day eat a tablespoon of fermented foods. For me that is 1/2 of a Bubbies brand dill pickle.

Drink a minimum of 1 ounce of water for every 2 pounds of body weight per day. For example, if you weigh 200 lbs, drink at least 100 ounces of water.



Not an easy diet to start with. You start by eliminating one thing at a time. Once you are on the diet and feeling great it is hard to imagine eating the stuff that you used to eat.

Cost wise I think we spend almost 1-1/2 times as much as we used to on food at the grocery stores. We also do not eat out much at all any more, but overall we are spending more on food. Shopping can be a hassle, if it is not a familiar brand you read the label. We do not buy much of anything in a box any more. It is shocking the garbage that is added to food. Go to your local store, pick up a loaf of bread, and read the ingredients. Many of them have gluten added on top of the gluten in the wheat! The added gluten makes the bread more springy and gives the perception of freshness.

I also had an H.Pylori bacterial infection. This caused me to have constant reflux issues, I was taking antacids several times a week and had to sleep on my side. They put me on a treatment that eliminated the H.Pylori and I now sleep on my back, on my stomach, or pretty much any way I happen to lay down! Awesome! I have not had any antacid, aspirin, allergy pills or medication of any kind since March. That and I can fearlessly eat spicy foods, chilies and grilled onions which just made me miserable before.

After you have been on a clean diet they check you out and put you on a 4 week detox program to help "clean out" your system. That was tough, especially week 3 with no meat! The general diet is what caused me to lose weight, the detox did not change that.

You can do most of this on your own I suppose. Our program includes some medical supervision and a few blood tests. I would have not known about the cause of my reflux if I had not been in the program.

I often eat out at work with the guys. I can always find something on the menu I can eat. I also take a bag of snap peas and/or carrots with me to snack on if the restaurant does not have good vegetable options.

Last week we went to Colorado on vacation. We rented a house for the week. We have a family of 5, it is about the same price as renting a hotel room or rooms. Renting the house allowed us to shop at local grocery stores and prepare most of our meals. We ate breakfast at the house and packed our lunch. We only ate out 3 times. The kids of course complain about restaurant foods, they like my wife's and my cooking better. When we were in Telluride we stopped in at a shop and got a chocolate treat for everyone. Wow! What a sugar rush! It was a treat, something you do once per month maybe, but the only "big" violation of my diet since March. We buy chocolate coconut milk based ice cream about once a week for the family. It has some sugar but no dairy. By the letter it is not within the bounds of the diet either.

While on vacation we went hiking. One day about 6 miles at 8,400' and another day about 10 miles at 8,000'. No issues keeping up with the kids. Did not get tired. It was about 70, I did sweat a little on my back under the daypack. I imagine if I weighed as much as I did in March I would not have done as well.

Mike, that's an amazing story!!! The impact you are having on your family is beautiful! This knowledge will serve everybody for the rest of your lives. Just think of the health and vitality that will come naturally. The success that it will create in their lives to feel good and be healthy.

You must have a really sharp nutritionist. That's one things I can't believe. I spent 35 years of my life with my head in the sand when it comes to nutrition! It makes a huge difference. I really think it's been one of the big factors in my growth in other areas. How can you be ambitious if you don't feel well? I've read a bunch of books and experimented endlessly. Do I feel like I have all the answers? No, but I've come a long way. I think seeking a nutritionalist is brilliant. That's certainly one of the blessings of you son.

Water, I couldn't believe how much water we need to drink. The old 64 ounce rule just doesn't cut it. I always feel better if I'm over 80 ounces. Over 100 if I worked out that day. Diuretics like coffee and ice tea offset water intake. Diet sodas and such are even worse. Think of all those toxins you shed!

One things I would caution. I've been know to be super disciplined in areas and it can lead to complacency and no fun. Treat the family once in a while to a splurge. It just might help you stay on track.

Good for you!!!

[Vegas69]

Healthy Habit #3

On day one: Read something positive to start and end your day.
On day two: Eat a breakfast packed full of nutrients.

Healthy Habit #3

Establish your sleep cycle. We've all heard to get 8 hours of sleep per day, but our bodies desire rhythm. I try to get to bed and get up within 30 minutes everyday. My bed time is 10 PM and wake up is 6 AM. I try to vary only 30 minutes each way. I tend to feel at my best with roughly 7:30 minutes of sleep. So, to bed at 10, up at 5:30. To bed at 10:30, up at 6. You get the point.

Of course there are times when we are extra tired and need more sleep. Listen to your body. However, a majority of the time, you will feel the most rested with this philosophy. To little sleep, to much sleep, and an erratic rhythm won't get you to your best self.

Off to the gym..

[glassman]

Todd, thank you for resurrecting this post, funny, I've been eyeing it the last few weeks thinking of saying something, but not knowing what too say. But, anyway's, love the topic, VERY close to my heart.....

Lance, great for you. I feel like I know you from here/general forum and Investin102 and what we have in common in our lives and hobbies. looking forward to meeting you one day....

Michael from Plano, dude, serious congrats!! That is super inspiring (and hard too!!). Was thinking to myself as I was reading it and thinking, yeah, the grocery bill will be higher, but long term medical costs will go down. I'm sure of it.

As far as me goes, well, turned 50 on the 2nd. Feel good for 50, but not good enough in general. Diet is about 75% whole foods, 25% good food but processed. Funny, when I go out and eat and order a hamburger (my favorite) i get sick/nauseous, so can only eat half.

Haven't lost any weight since I last typed here, 180 trying to get to 172ish att 5'11. My doctor says don't worry about it. I just did major blood work and full physical everything came back good. But still battling energy. I'm thinking age, pace (own a small company with 10 great employees) has something to do with it. Although, I'm having problems with my stomach, I have some complactied gut issues going on. I get the runs quite easy and it has something to do with too much and not enough proteins. Nobody has been able to find out what's going on yet. So, I have a doctor, physchitrist, physiologist, Nutrionalist, and I see all (cept the physc) on a monthly basis. I've had servere ADHD/anxiety all my life, but have only sought treatment the last 5 years (being in denial of it and not thinking it really existed, knowing where all different anyways....). Trying to control the symptoms by diet in some cases is merely not enough. I'm on a clinical trial for a new med (I hate, yes hate, taking medicine, too many side effects) and while I've been on it one year (I take 1/8 the recommended dosage) the brain activity has slowed, the side effects have been ringing of the ears and jaws being clamped/locked at nite during sleep. Mental health is very important, and very much has to do with our physical health as well.....

So, summary for me, at 50, learning to "take it easy", "chill", etc..etc...Have three kids (25,23,22) our 25 year old, Christopher, just got married and is currently a mental health theripist (working on his doctorate) and just got married to a sweetie he met in graduate school. My 23 year old (Brandon)is a music teacher and very talented individual. And my 22 year old daughter (Taylor) is a pastor, just finishing up her degree in biblical studies and leadership. My wifey of 28 years is my business partner at our company, and let me tell you all, it ain't easy, but, it makes us much stronger as a couple. We've been dating for 30 years and very much into "Serving" each other, a byproduct of following Christ for 20 years). We have a very good balance and my staff at work is helping me create a less busy/stressful schedule, building a corporation is a lot of work. And the one thing I've learned from it is, IT HAS NOTHING to do with my product and how good i am with it, ITS ALL ABOUT the people, how we treat them (Customers, vendors, employees, tax people).

So, things to do for me, need more energy, must make exercise more CONSISTANT, I do it, and am in good shape, but consistancy is most important.
Gotta go to the kidney doc and get checked out, my grandpa died of renil kidney failure, my 9 year old nephew had kidney cancer three years ago, and I found out yesterday, my dad has a lemon sized tumor on one of his kidneys (he just went in the hospital Wednesday for emergence gall bladder surgery and they found a host of problems) YEs, he's bout 100 lbs overweight and lives a sedentary lifestyle, I love him dearly, but it is sickening watch someone you love decay like that, especially when you can do something about it....

As I sign out this morning, this thread is a good reminder of what we/I need to do. IF YOU HAVE YOUR HEALTH< YOU HAVE YOUR WEALTH!!!! Live well, love lots. Remember to tell your loved ones you love them and care about them, life's too short. I Have to remind myself, "if you don't have something nice to say, don't say nothing".....

Cheers all from sunny CAlifornia.......