Haha..That was me Greg...You can slap me when you meet me.:cheers:

I am financially healthy, and physically out of shape..:willy: So easy for me to say this thread is better..It is the one thread I really need to motivate me..I am already motivated to make MONEY.:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Todd got me going again...Walked ten minutes after dinner, and did a few hundred sit ups and 50 push ups...First day in a long time..

I plan to continue doing it...

I know it will help me get back on track...

Erik, that was very interesting. To summarize it for people. The addition of high fructose corn syrup to Soda, Juices, Foods plays a huge roll in the current rate of obesity in America. Back in the days when Americans were getting all their sucrose(sugar) from fruits and vegetables, we were 25lbs lighter on average. I believe the sugar intake of the average American has quadrupled due to all the MAN MADE products today. Sugar turns into fat. Before you eat that processed food or drink that soda, take a look at the ingredients.

Just to be clear, fruits and veggies are the best source of fructose(sugar) because they are loaded with fiber and nutrients.

the media currently hates fructose, but it's largely alarmist crap

http://www.alanaragonblog.com/2010/0...tose-alarmism/

here it is explained by a guy who actually knows what he's talking about, not some journalist hack.

Just take the diet version if you love soda.

There's so much made up rubbish in the media that you need guys like Lyle McDonald to explain the truth of it all, see links below \/

http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/cat...n-fundamentals

All this reminds me of a couple things that are historically correct:



The GOVERNMENT pushed us to use MARGARIN over butter... then years later it was discovered that real butter is actually less harmful because our bodies can break it down unlike the margarin...


The GOVERNMENT pushed us to drink orange juice with our bowl of cereal --- over, eating bacon and eggs for breakfast...

But everyone should (they don't) know that PROTEIN is better for you than the OJ/Cereal if you ARE NOT going to go out and do some exercise.... The OJ/Cereal combo is sugar and carbs that if you don't need/use immediately - are just stored as fat. But we all THOUGHT - because someone else told us - it was "right" - that the OJ/Cereal was a far healthier breakfast! NOT!

A common sense approach to eating really isn't that difficult. Moderation is the key, we all know that, but just sticking to it is the hard part. Its good to have a day when you can pig out if you want, just remember to put in the work to deserve it.

I was always told.

If you want to be Wealthy, study Wealth.

If you want to be Happy, study Happiness.

If you want to be Healthy, study Health.

I lost my self along the way as far as health is concerned, but I am on my way back.

I need to Study and apply myself again to Health, so I can be Healthy.

It won't just "happen".. Just like wealth won't just "happen"...I have to put in the time and effort.

Thanks for waking me up..:cheers: :thumbsup:

EVERYTHING starts with health.

Very cool thread guys. The timing is funny because I have changed my health focus radically in the last 6 months. I'm 6' and weighed 252 at my heaviest in 2010. I'm such a busy person, I knew I could only focus on a couple changes and stay the course. Of course different things work for different people, but here was my recipe.

-dropped sodas
-jog 6 miles a week (2 nights)
-in the gym for 90 minutes for weight training (2 nights)
-Breakfast is one scoop of ultra lean protien powder in a glass of nonfat milk (tastes exactly like a Wendys frostie!) and a cup of coffee (some things I can't quit)
-making better choices at lunch and reasonable portions at dinner
-take sleep seriously

I weigh 226 and my size 36 jeans can slide off me. It's been pretty easy really. It's all about moderation and making better choices. I'm amazed at the muscle mass that's been relatively easy to gain, but more importantly how my imfamous short temper has been tamed. Somebody above said it all starts will health and they were dead on.

I had some friends have some
 

health problem recently so I have been more focused...not that I ever got that far away.

Taking an insurance class on Long Term Health Insurance, our instructor told us a story that had an impact on me. Basically, he went to the doctor (he was not overweight) and his Cholestorol was in the mid 300 range. The Doc perscribed medication and before he had a chance to fill it, another person asked him how much pork he ate. The other gentleman went on to say that if he would give up pork for 90 days and change nothing else he would not need the medication. Well the guy gave up pork for 90 days and did not change anything else in his diet. He went back to the doctor in 90 days for a test on his perscribed medication. The doctor stated it must be working very well since he went from 3xx to 146. He then showed the doctor that he had not filled it and explained what he did. Doc says no way and schedules him back in another 90 days. The guy decides to give up all meat (which I could never do) and goes back in the 90 days. His number was 134.

I have not researched it, but I gave up pork that day. I did not realized how much pork I was eating. Bacon in the morning, Itailan sub at lunch from Subway and then porkchops, peperoni pizza or whatever else pork at night. It was very hard as I am from the South and lived in the South my entire life...and can cook smoked baby back ribs like it is going out of style. I have not been in for a check up, so I cannot say how it worked for me but it cannot hurt. Last I checked mine was 215 but my ratios were excellent, I am 5'11" 195. Working out 3 times a week, but no Cardio...need to get on that program.

I had a TIA in 2010.

When they checked my cholesteral, it was 308. I dropped it 57 points just by changing my Diet.

It is now under 200.

The Wife and I headed for a walk soon..Something that we had been talking about, but now we are just doing it..Baby steps..

I exercised last night and this morning..I also slept better last night..

Baby steps, and this thread helps me to focus on my health again..I won't over do it, as Todd mentions not to do, so baby steps it will be..

But just like Investing, the baby steps turn into LARGE changes over time, and not overnight.

Thanks Todd for waking me up.

Good for you man. Stick with it consistently and you will see resluts, no doubt.

To go back to everything starts with health thing. For example, you have more experience and in general, you are smarter in and imaginary venue. However, I am healthier, have more energy, more confidence, and greater motivation. I can win the battle with persistence and hard work.

I see "RESLUTS" once in awhile but never partake personally..... :woot: :rofl:

I thought everything starts when the green flag drops :yes:

Very cool thing you've started here Todd :cheers:

Just got back from a one hour walk with the Wife..

Feels great...

We plan to do it 3 or 4 times a week..

Sweat out the toxins, salts, ect...

Surprising that I feel pretty good afterwards..

way to go! in this heat too! lol pick a fine time to start huh. ;)

LMAO...No doubt...I would go in the morning, but the Wife......

She asked me why I was bringing two bottles of water ? :willy: :willy:

Ah, to avoid heat stroke...I put on 50 sunblock and wore a hat...

Gotta love the Wife...:wow:

Eric and payton....Great info!!

Jerry....Get on that bike!!

Bucket list....Great Job!!

Alright guys, here's the recipe from our dinner tonight. I'm lucky that Kelli loves to cook and is damn good at it. She's also a 100% partner in this health improvement for life.

Kelli's Scrumptious Spaghetti & Meatballs (With Kelli Moderating)

Heat 2 tablespoons of EXTRA VIRGIN olive oil in a large saute pan on medium low

Saute 4 chopped garlic cloves for approx. one minute

Add 1/2 chopped (Red Bell Pepper, White Onion, Zucchini)
Add 1/3 chopped egg plant
Add 1 chopped Jalepeno(If you like spice)
Add 1 chopped Tomato
Add some salt and pepper
Saute until veggies are tender

While veggies are cooking make the meat balls and boil water for pasta in a separate pan:

Mix in large bowl:
1/2 lb of EXTRA LEAN ground Turkey
1 egg white
1/3 cup of bread crumbs
1 teaspoon of basil
1 teaspoon of oregeno
Salt & Pepper

Make Golf Ball size meat balls

Take cooked veggies off heat and into bowl

Put two tablespoons of EXTRA VIRGIN olive oil in the pan and brown the meatballs on all sides. After the sides are browned then cover to cook them throughly for 10-15 minutes.

After meaballs are cooked, add cooked veggies back to pan.

Add one 15 OZ can of Hunt Tomato Sauce (ALL NATURAL/NO Preservatives)

Simmer around 5-10 minutes

Somewhere towards the end put WHOLE WHEAT pasta in boiling water.



This was EXCELLENT guys and healthy.

So, you're telling me that those 3 NOS's a day ain't good for me?!?!? LOL!!

Naa, really I only drink one prolly once every week or two! I have started to drink more water instead of sweet tea tho!! Can't hurt for sure!!

Fat isn't your enemy, don't let the media tell you otherwise.

Start reading these articles to help fill in the gaps
http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/mus...et-part-1.html

Lyle on fat http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/nut...ts-part-1.html

Thanks Todd for this thread.

My wife and I started exercising about a week ago. Been doing walking and riding bikes so it is perfect timong.

My biggest problem is my eating habits which are terrible. That is what I am trying to work on.

That is exactly my situation..Exercise is right on track...Food habits ? That is next.

I can already feel my energy level getting better...

Nutrition is equally important to excercise. You can excercise all you want but if you continue to eat like crap, you won't realize the full potential and gains of the excercise. Specifically the weight loss and energy gain. You look better and feel better. What do you think happens to the rest of your life?

Back to the basics. Fresh fruits, vegetables, raw nuts, lean meats. No man made crap with preservatives. Eat at home as much as possible. It doesn't have to taste bad.

Take my challenge and write down EVERYTHING you eat EVERYDAY in a notebook. Estimate the calories by researching them and figure out a max calorie intake per day to LOSE a reasonable amount of weight. You will be amazed at the education you get and the ultimate results of being accountable.

good thread todd! very motivating when you've got a team doing it too.
after my daughter was born i gained the brute of my weight i was 180,highest Ive been is 225 (im 5' 9") 208 right now. I have always been of and on exercising and eating healthy so it constantly fluctuates between 10-15 lbs. i struggle with both exercise (lazy) and nutrition(im a foodie plus i cook pizza and greasy bar food every day!) but this past month Ive been really motivated to change as i totally agree with you that confidence is key and i truly feel thats whats holding me back from getting the shop out of its slump. i want to care but i just dont and i struggle with being positive and seeing light at the end of the tunnel.
but I feel getting healthy and feeling better about myself will really change that!


i really like the idea of a food journal too its will really make you accountable and responsible of what you eat! im gonna start

Atta boy, if you want to start running, give me a call. :D

Don't forget the drinks in your log. Those sodas, carmel machiattos, beers add up quick.

I have just added quitting nicotine to the list. I have been chewing Copenhagen snuff for 31 years. I went a full day without it yesterday and at the end of the day my brain felt like somebody was squeezing it in their fist. At about the same time I was bidding a job......brain frazzled,,,and told the potential client about it. luckily he understood and told me it took 2 years for him to quit smoking and that quitting nicotine cold turkey may not be possible. I went a half day today and then picked up a tin. I am in the realization that this is not going to be easy and am going to try and slowly eliminate this addiction.

A VERY BIG step...Congrats on your efforts to quit.. I had a few very bad addictions that are no longer in my Life..Almost 11 years now..

Keep it up...Good Job.

Oh and I am so sore right now, but Manana we walk again..Also more sit-ups ect...

By biggest hurdle is the salt content in the food I eat...That is something i am keeping an eye on too...Salt is in EVERYTHING that you wouldn't think it is in..Bread, Granola Bars, ect..

:cheers:

Its our essence of preservation, unfortunatly. Whole foods are key here. I am personally addicted to carbs (hey i'm italian...) breads pastas etc will be almost impossible for me to give up. I tried going "gluten free" earlier this year and had a hives attack...WTF..

So I am making a date with a nutrionist, then a cardioligist.

I ride alot (road and mountain bike, so i can ride dirt) and it helps my metobolism and stamina. But no ridin till november thanx to my shoulder rehab...but being on the couch (computer t.v.etc) i've lost two pounds cause now i'm paying attention when before i wasnt'....i've always been a backwards thinker..

I did, however, with my sling on, do donuts in the Camaro, a slalom course, and a few posi burnouts and took her up to 90 to shake it out a little as it just go finished...glad my 6spd conversion waited...

Down from 231 - 218 in five weeks, I cut out Coke, which I was addicted to and started to work out. I feel Soooooo much better.

Greg

That a boy Greg!

Food lesson of the day:


Did you know that farm raised fish has more fat, calories, and cholesterol than wild?

For isntance, one of my favorites, Salmon.

Farm raised: http://caloriecount.about.com/calori...-farmed-i15237

Wild: http://caloriecount.about.com/calori...ic-wild-i15209

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out why. A free range fish is naturally going to be leaner. Think, venison vs. burger. On top of that, farm raised almost always has dye to give it that bright orange color. Wild rarely has dyes. (Can dye really be good for you?) If you shop, you can find wild at a good price. Kelli picked some up at $5.99 a lb today. It was good too.:D

Thanks Todd.
The goal weight is 185, my race weight for Ironman was 180. It's all heading in the right direction

No more Mountain Dew and Ho Ho's in the morning, I read the labels this morning and there is enuf sugar to last 48hrs.. wow.

Uh..... you may also try reading one of those beer can labels too.... :cheers: :woot:

Very timely Todd.

In April 2011 my doctor shared my blood test results and shook her finger at me. It was scary, so I listened to and heeded her words. Her key advice was to watch out for calories, fats, and sugars while at the same time giving my body a reasonable and sustainable exercise routine.

Over the next six weeks I went from 186lbs to 150lbs and it was not that hard. I did exactly what Todd mentions, educating myself on foods, their effects, and watching everything I ate. It is stunningly amazing at how much weight was lost and how much better I feel with a simple combination of education, nutrition, and exercise.

There is something else that has come from exercise that was unexpected. I force myself to exercise at least 30-45 minutes every day. I do not watch or listen to TV, radio, ipod, etc. during exercise. Instead, I focus on a problem(s) and let my brain go. It may sound goofy but it works. I believe the combination of a singular mental focus and the endorphins allows my brain to work better.

Can one eat healty at a fast food joint? Yep. Most all now have salads. It may not be as exciting as a double chili-cheeseburger with chili-cheese fries, but I sure as heck feel better for the rest of the day. One still needs to watch out for all of that extra stuff that packs in the calories and fat. Some of those restraunt salads are 1500+ calories.

Here's the real kicker. It is less expensive to eat healty. By watching the local grocery store adds for specials I can mix up the diet to suit. It gives the taste buds a change, keeps costs way down, and allows for more important fiscal needs to be met (car parts!).

Yes, loosing weight does help at the track. Dealing with heat is easier, I fit in the seat better, and I can wear the new Hollywood suit without laying on the bed to put it on.

There's another common theme going on here. A support system. Todd has Kelli. I have my wife Kris. She's on board not only because she loves me, but she understands that keeping my health in check is the best way for me to be a good father and husband. Is there anything more important that that?

dont read it if you like drinking!

Hollywood is in the house:D and he is exactly right. Kelli has my back and she is also enjoying our new lifestyle TOGETHER. She's shedding lbs and excercising. She's making goals for herself. Tonight I told her when she hit X goal weight, I'd take her shopping. We both win!

I love salmon too Todd. A great website for selecting seafood which I got out of the End of Illness book I'm reading:

http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/seafoodwatch.aspx

Specifically on salmon:

http://www.montereybayaquarium.org//...et.aspx?fid=27

Wild caught Alaskan salmon is the best. Costco sells it frozen in a big bag for a little over $20 I think. I eat a lot of salmon and it is some of the best I've had and also the best choice according to the website above.

Great info! They'll send it to your door. http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product...=1&topnav=&s=1

:thumbsup:

Lightly saute some mushrooms and capers in olive oil. Grill some salmon, cover with the m&c's, and top with your favorite spaghetti sauce. For a side dish saute some zuchinni, squash, and a bit of onion in butter and pepper. Great stuff and it hardly ticks any of the "bad" meters. Cost is under $5 for what is a $20 dinner at the Italian joint, and less in every way than a Hungry Man dinner.

After the doctor's talk I started looking at foods from three different perspectives. One is easy: That is not what I should be eating. The second is a bit more harsh: That food will kill me. The third is one that comes out of a nasty competitive side that I have: I won't let food control me.

For me it's like this. Would I throw myself in front of a car, bullet, etc. to save my family? Would I accept taking any illness or suffering in order to save them the same fate? Would I be willing to give up something in order to help insure that I will be around for for the long haul? Gladly. So, that means saying no to unhealty foods (I will indulge a bit from time-to-time), no drinking (one beer since), no tobacco, etc. Yeah it's hard, but I spent today with my family on vacation. The look in my younger son's eyes when he was really excited was enough to make me melt. My older one is becomeing a young man and starting to listen to his dad from a different perspective. I don't really need that Churros, do I?

That's a great win-win for you Todd, especially since she's going to be wearing "The Dress" soon. ;-)

Good food doesn't have to taste bad

Most people view food very simply: it either tastes good, or it’s good for you – and never the two shall meet.



Extracts from the Gourmet Nutrition, recipe book, which has some wonderful food inside and all of the macronutrient ratios are already worked out.