Healthy Living 101

[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.

[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. 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.

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

[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"

oh yeah and i weighed 174lbs this morning.

[Tony_SS]

Originally Posted by 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.

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.