OR WILL POWER
Good Morning Readers, I am
back writing this week after some very hectic and busy days during the holiday.
I enjoyed my holiday and being able to share time with my friends and family.
Actually it was primarily family this year and even better it was friendly
family rather than family we are obligated to see. The only disappointment was
I did not get to see my mom on Christmas day since she was not feeling well and
my wife and I were hosting the holiday party. The circumstances left me no time
to travel to see her until New Years.
My gift giving this year was
a bit risky as I went out on the limb a little and decided to give folks what
they really needed rather than stuff. So prior to the holiday I pondered how
might I provide them with the opportunity to improve or maintain good health?
My first thought was to provide personal training but I have daughters in New
York and Texas and other family spread out across this area in such a way that
it would not be possible to see each of them regularly. After sometime though
providing them with simple exercise equipment for the home seemed the best idea
of all. My biggest concerns were how would these types of gifts be received and
how to provide instruction and motivation?
The first concern is not
really something that I could control so I did not spend much time worrying
about how they may receive the gift. My hope was and is that they understood
healthy living is a focus of mine and although thankfully no one is in poor
health each of us has room to improve and sustain the blessing of our current
health status. The second concern of how to instruct them to properly use the
equipment was of greater concern since many in my family have never really
developed an exercise regime. However I was fortunate to find written and video
media that provided instruction in Pilates, the exercise ball and yoga. I also
provided mats, exercise balls, and resistance bands.
I gave these gifts to my wife
and daughters, my mother and one of my sisters with the hope they will use them
to improve and sustain a healthier lifestyle. My mother used to say good
intentions pave the path to hell but fortunately in this situation it turned
out well and all received them with thanks and appreciation. The last issue is
a little more difficult though, since motivation is a perplexing and individual
issue for many people. Even when we know something is best for us it can be
difficult for some to get moving. As a result they never take that first step
despite having all of the tools and ability to succeed.
So instead of talking about
motivation and will power let’s talk about lifestyle change. So let’s discuss
what that is and what it looks like when done effectively. Since we all know it
will involve some type of movement or exercise I will not dwell on that one
despite its importance in creating and sustaining a healthy mind and body. Instead
I am talking about changing how you shop, how you cook, how you portion your meals,
what you eat, and when you eat it and where you eat.
How you shop for groceries
has to come first since if you are consuming bad fuel you will eventually
experience poor outcomes via your physical and possibly your mental health. It
will take you more time and energy initially but it is well worth the
additional minutes in the grocery store to read the packaging, rather than the
doctor’s office, so you know what you are consuming. A quick rule of thumb my wife and I currently utilize is this, “If it
has more than 5-7 items in it we do not want it. Experiment and find
healthier substitutes to use that are more natural than the processed and
packaged materials with all of the additives. Consuming higher quality fuel
will result in better health even before you start your exercise routines. If
you do not have the poor products in your home, you and your loved ones will be
far less likely to consume them in the quantities you do currently.
If you are committed and
successful at changing how you shop, it will make changing how you cook a lot
easier. Better fuel is the first step but you also have to be consistent and
not take great fuel and turn it into a toxic item by cooking them in a manner or
that adds in the toxins we all need to avoid as much as possible. So broiling
or baking instead of frying; limiting the amount of added salt; utilizing olive
oil instead of butter or saturated oils; eliminating can goods whenever
possible; coating your chicken or fish with ground nuts rather than bread crumbs
are a few suggestions off the top of my head and I currently utilize these
techniques. I can honestly tell you that my wife and I cooked the entire Xmas
dinner with no dairy, wheat, sugar, or frying oils. It was healthier without
losing the desired flavor.
Even with high quality fuels
and healthier cooking, portion size is still important. Although calories in
and calories burned is not the only factor, it is still an important part of
the process. Fuel consumed that is not immediately required is stored as fat so
be aware that you must eat slower and allow your mind to catch up with your
stomach. It takes approximately 20 minutes for your mind to signal the body that
it is full. So if you are eating your meals in less than 20 minutes you are at
risk for over eating. Take your time chew your food longer which will help with
digestion and savor the flavor. Try some chopsticks instead of a fork and spoon
and watch how much less you eat. Slowing consumption is an important step in
controlling the portion you eat.
What you eat is always
important but one concept people often miss is when you eat it. Breakfast should
never be skipped but it is not a bagel or what society has taught us to eat. We
all need to understand the influence and power of the agricultural industry. I
do not remember my family eating cereal or other wheat products for breakfast
until my mother went back to work and expedience became an issue.
Bacon and eggs was our
staple and we may have added a piece of toast or fruit. Pancakes, donuts and
other bread or wheat laden meals were a rarity and we must remember we do not
have the same wheat as our parents were afforded. Genetic engineering and
processing have ruined what was once a healthy product. Protein for breakfast
is important for sustaining energy and will eliminate the mid morning sugar
crash. It is just as important in the evening about an hour or so prior to bed
for the same reasons and may help to eliminate the midnight hunt for a quick
fix.
Last but not least is where
do you eat? If it is fast food of any kind you are already in a hole that you
soon may have a difficult time digging yourself out. There is no healthy fast food period and most of what is provided
in mainstream restaurants isn’t much better. The amount of salt and butter and
other less than healthy products, used in most to increase the flavor, decrease
the overall value of the product. I went to have breakfast last week a local
place and they used butter in everything. Needless to say I did not eat there
but the key to this was I asked how they cooked their food and offered
alternatives solutions but they did not have the healthier alternatives on
hand. I am sure you already know my
solution is to eat at home where you are able to determine the quality of the
products you are consuming.
So the activity for all of
us is to examine how you shop, how you cook, how you portion your meals, what
you eat and when you eat it, and where you eat. It is a step by step process
that will assist you in improving your health, losing the weight and reducing
the number of prescriptions and doctor visits. Seems to me the convenience of
fast food and poor fuel is time traded seeing doctors and filling prescriptions.
This constitutes more money for less health and increased aggravation, pain and
heartache. Join me and Get Up Get Moving
toward and healthier and more fulfilling lifestyle and remember…………..
CHIT
CHAT WON’T BURN FAT
