My mom is having some major health issues...so much so that I'm not going to be able to post here for another couple of days while we get it straightened out.
Note to all my readers: If you have high blood pressure, make damn sure you take your medication or 20 years later you'll have congestive heart failure and wham, bam goes your quality of life.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Thursday, January 26, 2012
The horror! Paula Dean caught eating a cheeseburger!
Yahoo News isn't much on news - it's mainly a gossip site. I see the headlines everytime I sign in to my email, though.
So what's one of the headlines today. "Paula Dean caught eating a cheeseburger!"
As if that's some kind of crime.
The news article is from the gossip rag TMZ, which also gets on the 65 year old woman's case about what she does, or apparently doesn't, have the right to eat.
No...I see I'm wrong. IT's from CBS: Goodmorning America. But they're repeating the news from TMZ.
My god.
Why not follow Charles Barkley around, why don't you, and see if he's sticking to his Jenny Craig diet?
So what's one of the headlines today. "Paula Dean caught eating a cheeseburger!"
As if that's some kind of crime.
The news article is from the gossip rag TMZ, which also gets on the 65 year old woman's case about what she does, or apparently doesn't, have the right to eat.
No...I see I'm wrong. IT's from CBS: Goodmorning America. But they're repeating the news from TMZ.
Last week, TV chef Paula Deen announced that she's been suffering from type 2 diabetes for the past three years. She acknowledged that a person has "to make changes in your life" but apparently, Deen hasn't apparently changed all that much. TMZ posted a photo of Deen woolfing down a cheeseburger on Monday while on a 7-day Caribbean cruise. The 65-year-old chef was hosting her annual Party at Sea vacation for 400 fans. TMZ says Deen also had fries on her plate.
My god.
Why not follow Charles Barkley around, why don't you, and see if he's sticking to his Jenny Craig diet?
Men vs Women weight loss ads
They are like night and day.
The ads geared toward women usually have them in underwear, or wearing tight clothes singing in front of a microphone and acting as sexy as they can be.
For the guys? A simple, straightforward speech - albeit with a little humor. Terry Bradshaw is doing nutrisystem, Charles Barkley is doing Jenny Craig. No sashaying around for them!
I wonder why the difference. Is it a subliminal message to women - which they buy into - that the only reason to lose weight is to look sexy for the opposite sex? Which means being able to fit into really tight dresses and cant those hips and work those breasts without any unsightly flab?
Whereas for the guys, it's just about looking good to themselves...?
I saw an article yesterday - Lego is in trouble because their new toys aimed at girls are too skinny. I thought this was so stupid. Girls don't have to worry about Lego toys, they have to worry about going to school where they are harrassed by their peers - thanks to Mrs. Obama's "lose weight and don't be fat" initiative which is an invitation to bully - not that teen-aged girls have ever needed an invite to bully someone... Sad but true.
The ads geared toward women usually have them in underwear, or wearing tight clothes singing in front of a microphone and acting as sexy as they can be.
For the guys? A simple, straightforward speech - albeit with a little humor. Terry Bradshaw is doing nutrisystem, Charles Barkley is doing Jenny Craig. No sashaying around for them!
I wonder why the difference. Is it a subliminal message to women - which they buy into - that the only reason to lose weight is to look sexy for the opposite sex? Which means being able to fit into really tight dresses and cant those hips and work those breasts without any unsightly flab?
Whereas for the guys, it's just about looking good to themselves...?
I saw an article yesterday - Lego is in trouble because their new toys aimed at girls are too skinny. I thought this was so stupid. Girls don't have to worry about Lego toys, they have to worry about going to school where they are harrassed by their peers - thanks to Mrs. Obama's "lose weight and don't be fat" initiative which is an invitation to bully - not that teen-aged girls have ever needed an invite to bully someone... Sad but true.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Start weight training on Wednesday
Regardless of how old you are, you can start working out with weights. Don't be afraid that you're going to get bulging muscles - that will only happen if you work out three hours a day and consume a lot of supplements. What you will do is strengthen your musculature to make it easier to carry your kids, carry groceries, catch yourself should you start sliding on the ice, increase your enjoyment of skiing or tennis... and just generally provide you with a good, toned body.
Even little old ladies should work out with weights - assuming they have a clearance from their doctors and don't have brittle bones. Of course it helps if you start out at age 60 rather than at age 80 (and obviously younger than that) but you can start at any age - simply get the appropriate weight amounts.
Solid cast dumbbells come in weights from 1 pound in increments all the way up to 10 pounds. For the elderly who have never used weights before, five pound dumbbells should be fine. It's not about building big muscles, it's about strengthening your muscles. 20 dumbbell curls with each hand, using a 5 pound weight, may be nothing to most people, but to women in their 70s who have never trained with weights before, it's accurate.
I want to make the distinction that I want my readers to "train with weights" , not "lift weights." Lifting weights is what body builders do, the ones who like hypertrophied muscles. (As an aside, I must say that I don't care for that look, not on men and definitely not on women, but it's a free country and if that's what they like...)
By weight training, you're actually "sculpting" your body, removing as much flab as possible. However - don't get carried away with that, either. A little flab is necessary, in particular in women - if you lose too much body weight you'll no longer have periods, for one thing. There is nothing wrong with being able to "pinch an inch." You just don't want to be able to pinch two inches!
When you're first starting out with weight training, be truthful with yourself. If you're a bit of an athlete, you can use weights appropriate to your strength, and do as many repetitions as you can. However, if you're not an athlete, don't be afraid or embarrassed (even privately!) to start out with the lightest weights, and the easiest repetitions.
"No pain no gain" - as far as the average person goes - is a myth. Too many people work out hard for a couple of days, develop muscle soreness, and lose interest in ever exercising again.
Just take it easy! Keep a record each day of all your exercises. Start out very simply, and increase weight and repetitions, every week or so.
Weights
Purchase your weights at garage sales or at used sports stores. This will save you a lot of money.
Weights needed:
Dumbbells - from 5 to 10 pounds. 15 to 20 if you're a guy.
Leg weights - from 5 to 20 pounds (if you dont' want to invest in a weight bench)
Weight bench - if at all possible, invest in one that has an attachment so you can do leg exercises
Barbbell - A barbell set, from 50 pounds to 200 pounds, is nice to have, but dumbbells and leg weights can be sufficient. Having a barbell helps to vary the routine, which ensures that one's thrice-weekly regimen will be maintained.
Even little old ladies should work out with weights - assuming they have a clearance from their doctors and don't have brittle bones. Of course it helps if you start out at age 60 rather than at age 80 (and obviously younger than that) but you can start at any age - simply get the appropriate weight amounts.
Solid cast dumbbells come in weights from 1 pound in increments all the way up to 10 pounds. For the elderly who have never used weights before, five pound dumbbells should be fine. It's not about building big muscles, it's about strengthening your muscles. 20 dumbbell curls with each hand, using a 5 pound weight, may be nothing to most people, but to women in their 70s who have never trained with weights before, it's accurate.
I want to make the distinction that I want my readers to "train with weights" , not "lift weights." Lifting weights is what body builders do, the ones who like hypertrophied muscles. (As an aside, I must say that I don't care for that look, not on men and definitely not on women, but it's a free country and if that's what they like...)
By weight training, you're actually "sculpting" your body, removing as much flab as possible. However - don't get carried away with that, either. A little flab is necessary, in particular in women - if you lose too much body weight you'll no longer have periods, for one thing. There is nothing wrong with being able to "pinch an inch." You just don't want to be able to pinch two inches!
When you're first starting out with weight training, be truthful with yourself. If you're a bit of an athlete, you can use weights appropriate to your strength, and do as many repetitions as you can. However, if you're not an athlete, don't be afraid or embarrassed (even privately!) to start out with the lightest weights, and the easiest repetitions.
"No pain no gain" - as far as the average person goes - is a myth. Too many people work out hard for a couple of days, develop muscle soreness, and lose interest in ever exercising again.
Just take it easy! Keep a record each day of all your exercises. Start out very simply, and increase weight and repetitions, every week or so.
Weights
Purchase your weights at garage sales or at used sports stores. This will save you a lot of money.
Weights needed:
Dumbbells - from 5 to 10 pounds. 15 to 20 if you're a guy.
Leg weights - from 5 to 20 pounds (if you dont' want to invest in a weight bench)
Weight bench - if at all possible, invest in one that has an attachment so you can do leg exercises
Barbbell - A barbell set, from 50 pounds to 200 pounds, is nice to have, but dumbbells and leg weights can be sufficient. Having a barbell helps to vary the routine, which ensures that one's thrice-weekly regimen will be maintained.
Monday, January 23, 2012
This is what happens when you get thrown out of your routine
Sorry to have missed five whole days of posting. I have been so busy working on a project that I hope will secure my financial security for years to come that I have neglected all of my blogs.
So, back on track.
We're two-thirds of the way through January. How is your weight program coming?
The whole weight loss project, Weight Loss Without Tears, is all about losing weight gradually. The reason why it's important to lose weight gradually is because people who drop weight quickly typically put it all back on again in a matter of months - or within 5 years.
If you lose weight gradually, however, by altering your living habits in baby steps, then it is that much easier to maintain your new living habits - which is what you must do to ensure that you are able to maintain your new, healthy weight for the rest of your life.
So remember - gradualness is the key.
So, back on track.
We're two-thirds of the way through January. How is your weight program coming?
The whole weight loss project, Weight Loss Without Tears, is all about losing weight gradually. The reason why it's important to lose weight gradually is because people who drop weight quickly typically put it all back on again in a matter of months - or within 5 years.
If you lose weight gradually, however, by altering your living habits in baby steps, then it is that much easier to maintain your new living habits - which is what you must do to ensure that you are able to maintain your new, healthy weight for the rest of your life.
So remember - gradualness is the key.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
You're going on a diet, not a Diet
Venus at the Mirror, by Peter Paul Rubens. Voluptuousness is the name of the game.Lots of English words have two or more meanings, and diet is one of them.
In the context of this blog, I use a capitalized Diet, and a lower case diet.
The lower case diet is the diet that I want you to follow. It stands for the overall types of food and drink you consume. Modifying your diet is one of the only two things you need to do to lose weight. (The other is exercise.)
The capital D is Diet - for those things like Slim Fast, Weight Watchers, the Atkins Diet, the Grapefruit Diet, and so on, artificial constructs that entrepreneurs create to separate people from their money.
If you look at commercials for such thing as Slimfast and Weight Watchers, you will see teeny tiny print that says RESULTS NOT TYPICAL. That is because, for everyone who actually does lose weight on these programs, 90% of them gain back the weight they lost, because they don't change the underlying reasons why they are overweight.
Just what is Overweight?
Let's clear the air. There's lots of propaganda these days about how 80% of children are obese. That's not true. The definition of Obese has been changed to include children who are just a few pounds over the "average" for their age group.
Sure, some kids are overweight because they eat too much and never stop, but most just have normal "puppy fat" which will dissapate normally if they aren't traumatized into either continuing to eat, or stopping eating altogether.
The problem with this propaganda is that it is making kids obsess over their weight earlier than they need to - girls especially, of course.
Indeed, the entire Western World seems to be preoccupied with weight. In England, children are actually taken away from their parents...if the parents are fat! Soon, that will be coming to the US.
Take back your life
It is important that people not get tremendously overweight, because that will impact their quality of life when they get older. Someone who is a mere 10 pounds overweight is not in any danger... so if you want to be 10 pounds over weight, go for it! If someone comments on your weight, tell them thanks, but you're not worried about it.
Future tips will share how tremendously overweight people can lose weight, and keep the weight off once they lose it.
Everything in moderation
Now, after my little rant yesterday, the fact remains that if you come from a family that has diabetes, your chances of getting it are high. And if you have diabetes, you have to eat certain foods, and not eat other kinds of foods.
In this blog, I'm only talking to people who are healthy with no such diseases - I'm not qualified to give a diabetic or an epileptic advice on how to control their weight.
But there are people who are - reputable people, and they should be consulted immediately after such a diagnosis.
In this blog, I'm only talking to people who are healthy with no such diseases - I'm not qualified to give a diabetic or an epileptic advice on how to control their weight.
But there are people who are - reputable people, and they should be consulted immediately after such a diagnosis.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Media Gloats over Paula Dean's Diabetes Diagnoses
And they are a bunch of scum.
The whole focus of the article below is not that Dean has had diabetes for 3 years, but that it's her cooking that probably caused it.
Now, truth to tell I am not in to Southern cooking myself and I've never watched the woman's show. It's certainly unfortunate that thishas given fuel to those folk who want to regulate everything we do, as well as how much we can weigh.
There are plenty of people with diabetes who ate right and exercised - there are NFL players with diabetes...diabetes happens.
Here's a list of athletes with diabetes - most of whom have never been overweright and who have never eaten Southern cooking.
From SF Gate: TV chef Paula Deen discloses diabetes diagnosis
Paula Deen, the Southern belle of butter and heavy cream, is making no apologies for waiting three years to disclose she has diabetes while continuing to dish up deep-fried cheesecake and other high-calorie, high-fat recipes on TV.
She said she isn't changing the comfort cooking that made her a star, though it isn't clear how much of it she'll continue to eat while she promotes health-conscious recipes along with a diabetes drug she's endorsing for a Danish company.
"I've always said, 'Practice moderation, y'all.' I'll probably say that a little louder now," Deen said Tuesday after revealing her diagnosis on NBC's "Today" show. "You can have diabetes and have a piece of cake. You cannot have diabetes and eat a whole cake."
Health activists and one fellow chef called her a hypocrite for promoting an unhealthy diet along with a drug to treat its likely effects. Deen added her support of the Novo Nordisk company to a collection of lucrative endorsements that include Smithfield ham and Philadelphia Cream Cheese.
Deen, who will turn 65 on Thursday, said she kept her diagnosis private as she and her family figured out what to do, presumably about her health and a career built solidly on Southern cooking. Among her recipes: deep-fried cheesecake covered in chocolate and powdered sugar, and a quiche that calls for a pound of bacon.
"I really sat on this information for a few years because I said, 'Oh, my gosh, what am I going to do about this? Is my life fixing to change? Am I no longer going to like my life?" she asked. Government doctors say that being overweight (as Deen is), over 45 (as Deen is) and inactive (as Deen was) increase the risk for developing Type 2 diabetes.
Deen is the pitch person for Novo Nordisk's new online program, which offers tips on food preparation, stress management and working with doctors on treatment. She has contributed diabetes-friendly recipes to the website and takes the company's drug Victoza, a once-daily non-insulin injection that had global sales of $734 million in the first nine months of 2011.
Company spokeswoman Ambre Morley and Deen declined to disclose how much she is being paid.
The whole focus of the article below is not that Dean has had diabetes for 3 years, but that it's her cooking that probably caused it.
Now, truth to tell I am not in to Southern cooking myself and I've never watched the woman's show. It's certainly unfortunate that thishas given fuel to those folk who want to regulate everything we do, as well as how much we can weigh.
There are plenty of people with diabetes who ate right and exercised - there are NFL players with diabetes...diabetes happens.
Here's a list of athletes with diabetes - most of whom have never been overweright and who have never eaten Southern cooking.
Wasim Akram - Pakistani cricket fast bowler
Arthur Ashe - Tennis - Wimbledon winner
Walter Barnes - Football and actor. Before acting career he played professional football for the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles, 1948-1951.
Sarah Bina - Championship clogger
Ayden Byle - Runner - First insulin-dependent man to run 6521.5 km across North America.
Nick Boynton - Hockey Player - Boston Bruins
Doug Burns – Fitness consultant, Record-holding strength athlete
Sean Busby - Champion Snowboarder
Bobby Clarke - NHL - Philadelphia Flyers
Ty Cobb - MLB - Detroit Tigers
Scott Coleman - Swimmer - first man with diabetes to swim the English Channel, (August 17th 1996)
Jay Cutler - Football Player
Chris Dudley - NBA - New York Knicks center
James “Buster” Douglas - Heavy Weight Boxer
Kenny Duckett - NFL - New Orleans Saints
Rick Dudley - Hockey
Scott Dunton - World Class Surfer
Mike Echols - NFL - Tennessee Titans
Pam Fernandes - Para Olympian
Missy Foy - Professional Marathon Runner
Curt Frasier - NHL - Chicago Black Hawks
Walt Frazier - NBA - New York Knicks
“Smokin’ Joe” Frazier - Boxing
Kris Freeman - Olympic and National Champion Cross-Country Skier
Joe Gibbs - NFL - Washington Redskins coach
Jorge "Giant" Gonzalez- Professional Wrestler and Argentinian Basketball Player
Bill Gullickson - MLB - Cincinnati Reds Pitcher
Gary Hall Jr. - US Olympic Gold Medalist, Swimming
Jonathan Hayes - NFL - Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs
Jay Hewitt - Ironman Triathlete
Dave Hollins - 1993 Phillies World Series Third Baseman
James "Catfish" Hunter - MLB - Pitcher, Baseball Hall-of-Famer
Chuck Heidenrich - Skiing
Chris Jarvis - World Champion Canadian Rower
Jason Johnson - MLB - Pitcher, Cleveland Indians
Kelli Keuhne - LPGA golfer
Billie Jean King - Tennis
Jay Leeuwenburg - NFL - Indianapolis Colts Lineman
Mark Lowe - Major League Baseball
Robert "Gorilla Monsoon" Marella -Professional wrestler and commentator
Michelle McGann - LPGA golfer
Billy Mills - Olympic runner
Adam Morrison - Basketball Player, Gonzaga University
Brandon Morrow -Seattle Mariners Pitcher
David Pember - MLB - Milwaukee Brewers
Toby Petersen - NHL - Pittsburgh Penguins, Dallas Stars
Sir Steven Redgrave - Rower - Winner of five consecutive Olympic gold medals
Dan Reichert - MLB - Kansas City Royals
Ham Richardson – Tennis star
Jackie Robinson - Baseball Player
Sugar Ray Robinson - Boxing
Vinnie Santana - Triathlete
Ron Santo - MLB - Chicago Cubs legend
Mike Sinclair - NFL - Philadelphia Eagles
Kendall Simmons - NFL - Pittsburgh Steelers
Ron Springs - NFL - Dallas Cowboys
Jerry Stackhouse - NBA - Dallas Mavericks
Hank Stram - NFL - Kansas City Chiefs Coach
Bradley Suttle - Texas Longhorns - Second Baseman
Bill Talbert - Hall of Fame tennis player
Jack Tatum - NFL - Oakland Raiders, The Assassin
Sherri Turner - LPGA golfer
Scott Verplank - PGA golfer
Jo Ann Washam - LPGA golfer
David "Boomer" Wells - San Diego Padres Pitcher
Dominique Wilkins - Basketball Player (Atlanta Hawks)
Wade Wilson - NFL player and Dallas Cowboys quarterback coach
Dmitri Young - MLB Outfielder, first baseman
From SF Gate: TV chef Paula Deen discloses diabetes diagnosis
Paula Deen, the Southern belle of butter and heavy cream, is making no apologies for waiting three years to disclose she has diabetes while continuing to dish up deep-fried cheesecake and other high-calorie, high-fat recipes on TV.
She said she isn't changing the comfort cooking that made her a star, though it isn't clear how much of it she'll continue to eat while she promotes health-conscious recipes along with a diabetes drug she's endorsing for a Danish company.
"I've always said, 'Practice moderation, y'all.' I'll probably say that a little louder now," Deen said Tuesday after revealing her diagnosis on NBC's "Today" show. "You can have diabetes and have a piece of cake. You cannot have diabetes and eat a whole cake."
Health activists and one fellow chef called her a hypocrite for promoting an unhealthy diet along with a drug to treat its likely effects. Deen added her support of the Novo Nordisk company to a collection of lucrative endorsements that include Smithfield ham and Philadelphia Cream Cheese.
Deen, who will turn 65 on Thursday, said she kept her diagnosis private as she and her family figured out what to do, presumably about her health and a career built solidly on Southern cooking. Among her recipes: deep-fried cheesecake covered in chocolate and powdered sugar, and a quiche that calls for a pound of bacon.
"I really sat on this information for a few years because I said, 'Oh, my gosh, what am I going to do about this? Is my life fixing to change? Am I no longer going to like my life?" she asked. Government doctors say that being overweight (as Deen is), over 45 (as Deen is) and inactive (as Deen was) increase the risk for developing Type 2 diabetes.
Deen is the pitch person for Novo Nordisk's new online program, which offers tips on food preparation, stress management and working with doctors on treatment. She has contributed diabetes-friendly recipes to the website and takes the company's drug Victoza, a once-daily non-insulin injection that had global sales of $734 million in the first nine months of 2011.
Company spokeswoman Ambre Morley and Deen declined to disclose how much she is being paid.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Bummer!
Tebow and the Broncos were schooled yesterday...an ignominious end to their season.
Ah, well.
Today, Ravens vs Texans and Packers vs Giants.
And you vs food?
I hope not. Remember at all times, food is your friend. It keeps you alive, it tastes good, every meal should be an enjoyable eating experience. And every exercise routine should be an enjoyable one, also.
Don't look at your weight training, your jogging, your eating, as necessary evils. Look upon them as fun - as being able to move freely which some people can't do (I refer to folks with MS or other diseases that cause them to exist in wheelchairs, etc).
Life is a gift, enjoy every day of it.
Ah, well.
Today, Ravens vs Texans and Packers vs Giants.
And you vs food?
I hope not. Remember at all times, food is your friend. It keeps you alive, it tastes good, every meal should be an enjoyable eating experience. And every exercise routine should be an enjoyable one, also.
Don't look at your weight training, your jogging, your eating, as necessary evils. Look upon them as fun - as being able to move freely which some people can't do (I refer to folks with MS or other diseases that cause them to exist in wheelchairs, etc).
Life is a gift, enjoy every day of it.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Phew!
Four days without a post here. I apologize. Normally I try to post, if not every day, at least every other day. Missing four days in a row is not acceptable!
Won't happen again!
Well, this weekend is a football weekend - both today and tomorrow we've got games. I myself will be rooting for Tim Tebow and the Broncos. I'm not a religious person - but it just irks me to see the kind of critical press Tebow gets because he dares to kneel and say a prayer after every touchdown. I'd much rather see that then some wide receiver performing some kind of pole dance in the end zone while his teammates gather round waiting for him to finish before he allows them to congratulate him.
I was at the store earlier today - my local Walmart - and there were plenty of folks with Tebow jerseys on, stocking up on snacks for the game later on this afternoon.
If you're a football fan, you're probably doing it to, or if you have a signficant other who is, etc...
Thing is, Sundays' during football season are predicatable, as are Sundays at the end of the football season! The more we eat and make ourselves comfortable around the TV, the better our teams do.
So don't forget to go for a long walk if at all possible before the game. Don't slack off on your enjoyment of the day by resisting all the goodies, but pace yourself - eat them slowly so that you feel fuller more quickly.
And of course it's a good way to learn something about yourself. Are you surrounded by football fans with aromas of good food? Meantime you're in your own private room trying to read or watch something else on TV, but those aromas just keep enticing you? Or even if there are no aromas, the thoguht that there are people in the house stuffing themselves while you're not eating... does this grate on you?
Every day, every experience provides an opportunity for you to learn about yourself and what makes you tick...food wise. Never lose an opportunity to learn!
And go Broncos!
Won't happen again!
Well, this weekend is a football weekend - both today and tomorrow we've got games. I myself will be rooting for Tim Tebow and the Broncos. I'm not a religious person - but it just irks me to see the kind of critical press Tebow gets because he dares to kneel and say a prayer after every touchdown. I'd much rather see that then some wide receiver performing some kind of pole dance in the end zone while his teammates gather round waiting for him to finish before he allows them to congratulate him.
I was at the store earlier today - my local Walmart - and there were plenty of folks with Tebow jerseys on, stocking up on snacks for the game later on this afternoon.
If you're a football fan, you're probably doing it to, or if you have a signficant other who is, etc...
Thing is, Sundays' during football season are predicatable, as are Sundays at the end of the football season! The more we eat and make ourselves comfortable around the TV, the better our teams do.
So don't forget to go for a long walk if at all possible before the game. Don't slack off on your enjoyment of the day by resisting all the goodies, but pace yourself - eat them slowly so that you feel fuller more quickly.
And of course it's a good way to learn something about yourself. Are you surrounded by football fans with aromas of good food? Meantime you're in your own private room trying to read or watch something else on TV, but those aromas just keep enticing you? Or even if there are no aromas, the thoguht that there are people in the house stuffing themselves while you're not eating... does this grate on you?
Every day, every experience provides an opportunity for you to learn about yourself and what makes you tick...food wise. Never lose an opportunity to learn!
And go Broncos!
Monday, January 9, 2012
The hypocrisy - and evil - of gossip magazines
Yes I know you come to this blog to learn how to lose weight, but sometimes I just can't help but go off on rants. My goal is to help people - mostly women - achieve a healthy weight and then maintain that weight.
That goal is not helped by the plethora of gossip magazines lining supermarket checkout aisles that focus on women's weight - only verrrrry rarely does a male actor have to worry about having his flab on display for all to see. Bad for the women who have to look at it, worse for the girls and boys who are subliminally taught that girl's bodies are for being looked at.
You all know what I'm talking about. The People magazines, the Us, the Enquirer, the Star - all of them always show photos of, for example, women's fat bodies with their heads cut off, with headlines like, "Who looks this flabby now?" Then we've got other crap like 20 actresses without their makeup - almost as bad.
Anyway, what do these covers typically always say? Look how skinny this actress is. Can she have anorexia? The next week? Look how fat this actress is! She should lose weight.
Women can just never, ever win. The only solution would be to boycott these mags and write letters to them requesting, or demanding that they cover something more interesting and important than the weight of actresses and personalities.
A boycott would work...hit a business in its pocketbook and they will change their ways - but will women institute one? These mags wouldn't show this crap unless there was a market for it, unfortunately.
That goal is not helped by the plethora of gossip magazines lining supermarket checkout aisles that focus on women's weight - only verrrrry rarely does a male actor have to worry about having his flab on display for all to see. Bad for the women who have to look at it, worse for the girls and boys who are subliminally taught that girl's bodies are for being looked at.
You all know what I'm talking about. The People magazines, the Us, the Enquirer, the Star - all of them always show photos of, for example, women's fat bodies with their heads cut off, with headlines like, "Who looks this flabby now?" Then we've got other crap like 20 actresses without their makeup - almost as bad.
Anyway, what do these covers typically always say? Look how skinny this actress is. Can she have anorexia? The next week? Look how fat this actress is! She should lose weight.
Women can just never, ever win. The only solution would be to boycott these mags and write letters to them requesting, or demanding that they cover something more interesting and important than the weight of actresses and personalities.
A boycott would work...hit a business in its pocketbook and they will change their ways - but will women institute one? These mags wouldn't show this crap unless there was a market for it, unfortunately.
The Obsession Continues
I live in Cheyenne. Despite the fact that it's the capitol of the state, it's a small town, only between 50,000 and 60,000 people. So there's not a lot of news that goes into the newspaper.
Today, I was annoyed to see that on the front page was the headline, "Why are we fat?" And then something about scientists trying to figure it all out.
I have to admit this annoys me. If a newspaper must focus on our weight (and it's always women's weight they focus on), do it in the Arts & Entertainment section, not on the front page of what is supposed to be a newspaper giving us news.
But there's no getting away from it. We're bombarded with weight loss commercials on TV (there's one with Charles Barkley in which he's all dressed in black, talking against a black background. Has he lost any weight? Hard to tell.) But for the most part of course, this weight loss crap is aimed at women. It's interesting what the new slogan is for ....I'm blanking on the name - senior moment - "Lose weight like a man." Very macho.
I get my newspapers in batches from my parents...yesterday I was going through several weeks of papers leading up until Christmas and New Year's Day, and of course the Arts & Entertainment section (a whole 2 page section, in the Cheyenne paper) was given over to worries that people might gain weight over the holidays, and provided tips, over and over again, to prevent this from happening.
And I'm not saying that there weren't some good tips. Indeed, I'm going to share some of them in my next post. It's just the over-arcing thought....no one can just enjoy themselves anymore. We're always being told - don't overeat, don't overeat, don't over eat.
Personally I think they should be telling people not to do drugs and not to drink to excess and to study hard in school, but that's just me.
Today, I was annoyed to see that on the front page was the headline, "Why are we fat?" And then something about scientists trying to figure it all out.
I have to admit this annoys me. If a newspaper must focus on our weight (and it's always women's weight they focus on), do it in the Arts & Entertainment section, not on the front page of what is supposed to be a newspaper giving us news.
But there's no getting away from it. We're bombarded with weight loss commercials on TV (there's one with Charles Barkley in which he's all dressed in black, talking against a black background. Has he lost any weight? Hard to tell.) But for the most part of course, this weight loss crap is aimed at women. It's interesting what the new slogan is for ....I'm blanking on the name - senior moment - "Lose weight like a man." Very macho.
I get my newspapers in batches from my parents...yesterday I was going through several weeks of papers leading up until Christmas and New Year's Day, and of course the Arts & Entertainment section (a whole 2 page section, in the Cheyenne paper) was given over to worries that people might gain weight over the holidays, and provided tips, over and over again, to prevent this from happening.
And I'm not saying that there weren't some good tips. Indeed, I'm going to share some of them in my next post. It's just the over-arcing thought....no one can just enjoy themselves anymore. We're always being told - don't overeat, don't overeat, don't over eat.
Personally I think they should be telling people not to do drugs and not to drink to excess and to study hard in school, but that's just me.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Choose Your Sport
I cannot emphasize enough how important it is that you add exercise to your weight loss regime.
Biking is fun, but walking will work as well. Jogging can cause shin splints, depending on what kind of you surface you jog on.
Since it's winter now... think about cross country skiing or even snow shoeing.
Whatever exercise you choose - jogging, biking, walking - the important thing is to keep track of what you do every day - how far you jog/bike/walk, and how long it takes you. In this way, you're able to measure your progress every day. It's also fun to see your distances and times increase.
As far as bikes are concerned, the best thing to do is get a man's bike, rather than a woman's bike - men's bikes are simply sturdier built because of that top bar. Go to your local bike store, rather than to a Walmart (have you seen the furniture put together there? Do you really want to trust them to put a bike together properly?)
Biking is fun, but walking will work as well. Jogging can cause shin splints, depending on what kind of you surface you jog on.
Since it's winter now... think about cross country skiing or even snow shoeing.
Whatever exercise you choose - jogging, biking, walking - the important thing is to keep track of what you do every day - how far you jog/bike/walk, and how long it takes you. In this way, you're able to measure your progress every day. It's also fun to see your distances and times increase.
As far as bikes are concerned, the best thing to do is get a man's bike, rather than a woman's bike - men's bikes are simply sturdier built because of that top bar. Go to your local bike store, rather than to a Walmart (have you seen the furniture put together there? Do you really want to trust them to put a bike together properly?)
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Willpower is a muscle: Exercise it
Diet Tip: Don't use the excuse that you have no willpower to stick to a diet. Of course you do. Willpower is like a muscle. You have to exercise that muscle until it become strong enough to see you through the tough times, when you'd really like a bowl of icecream but you're going to bed in 5 minutes!
I was feeling a bit depressed today. As a freelance writer, I had spent a couple of weeks working on a project that I was very enthusiastic about, and which I wrote well, and I anticipated it being a big hit when I debuted it to the readers of my aviation blog (one of many blogs I have.)
Well, my work went over like a lead balloon. Very depressing. I'd gone from the heights of euphoria to the depths of despair just like that.
And when that happens, I want chocolate.
I didn't have the right kind of chocolate in the house - I keep Oreo cookies and Nabisco Chocolate chip cookies for my dessert, because they satisfy my craving for chocolate, but I can eat two for dessert and not be "called" to them again until the next day. But freshed baked cookies - no, can't have them at all. I'd eat them all in a single sitting.
Well, that's the kind of chocolate I felt like having today. So I drove to the store to pick up some cookie dough.
On the way into the store, however, I got to thinking. We'd had cold weather for two weeks, and I had been extremely inactive, so I tried to exercise a little will power. I finally settled for a single candy bar. 180 calories as opposed to 1,000 or more - not too bad.
So I had my chocolate, and took a long hot bath, and bought a book for my Kindle, and now I've recovered from my depression and will start working on yet another writing project.
How To Strengthen Your Willpower
If you have the willpower to resist eating after dinner, or to exercise and run/jog every day without missing once, then you probably aren't reading this blog because you don't need to.
But what if you hate feeling hungry, and so give in to hunger pains every might? Isn't that how those commercials for weight loss products suck you in - eat less and never feel hungry!
Well - you are going to feel hungry on occasion. Tell yourself, so what! You're not "depriving" yourself of food, you're just ensuring that when you do have your three square meals a day, you'll enjoy them all the more.
If you do eat decent meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner, chances are your hunger pangs won't be bad in the evening...they probably just occur from force of habit...you're bored and you always eat when you're bored. Get up, then, but instead of heading for the refrigerator, perform some stretching exercises, read a book for a few minutes, go outside for a walk. Drink water while you do so, that will satiate the hunger pangs. If you still can't prevent yourself from eating, wean yourself away by eating a few carrots, or an apple. NO POP! (Not even diet pop - it has stuff in it that is worse than real pop.)
Work on your resistance. No snack for the last half hour before you go to bed. Extend the time. No snack for the last hour. Then, for thelast hour and a half. Finally, get it down to where, after you've had dinner and dessert, you don't eat at all for the rest of the night.
I was feeling a bit depressed today. As a freelance writer, I had spent a couple of weeks working on a project that I was very enthusiastic about, and which I wrote well, and I anticipated it being a big hit when I debuted it to the readers of my aviation blog (one of many blogs I have.)
Well, my work went over like a lead balloon. Very depressing. I'd gone from the heights of euphoria to the depths of despair just like that.
And when that happens, I want chocolate.
I didn't have the right kind of chocolate in the house - I keep Oreo cookies and Nabisco Chocolate chip cookies for my dessert, because they satisfy my craving for chocolate, but I can eat two for dessert and not be "called" to them again until the next day. But freshed baked cookies - no, can't have them at all. I'd eat them all in a single sitting.
Well, that's the kind of chocolate I felt like having today. So I drove to the store to pick up some cookie dough.
On the way into the store, however, I got to thinking. We'd had cold weather for two weeks, and I had been extremely inactive, so I tried to exercise a little will power. I finally settled for a single candy bar. 180 calories as opposed to 1,000 or more - not too bad.
So I had my chocolate, and took a long hot bath, and bought a book for my Kindle, and now I've recovered from my depression and will start working on yet another writing project.
How To Strengthen Your Willpower
If you have the willpower to resist eating after dinner, or to exercise and run/jog every day without missing once, then you probably aren't reading this blog because you don't need to.
But what if you hate feeling hungry, and so give in to hunger pains every might? Isn't that how those commercials for weight loss products suck you in - eat less and never feel hungry!
Well - you are going to feel hungry on occasion. Tell yourself, so what! You're not "depriving" yourself of food, you're just ensuring that when you do have your three square meals a day, you'll enjoy them all the more.
If you do eat decent meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner, chances are your hunger pangs won't be bad in the evening...they probably just occur from force of habit...you're bored and you always eat when you're bored. Get up, then, but instead of heading for the refrigerator, perform some stretching exercises, read a book for a few minutes, go outside for a walk. Drink water while you do so, that will satiate the hunger pangs. If you still can't prevent yourself from eating, wean yourself away by eating a few carrots, or an apple. NO POP! (Not even diet pop - it has stuff in it that is worse than real pop.)
Work on your resistance. No snack for the last half hour before you go to bed. Extend the time. No snack for the last hour. Then, for thelast hour and a half. Finally, get it down to where, after you've had dinner and dessert, you don't eat at all for the rest of the night.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Day 3: Stretching Exercises
For those newbies here, you should spend the first week of the new year keeping a journal, keeping track of everything you eat and drink, and the time you do so, and how you feel afterwards.
Know yourself and your tendencies - then you can modify them.
In order to lose weight and maintain your new weight once you've obtained it, you need to continue your exercise routine.
And stretching exercises should be part of your exercise routine.
There's controversy about this. Some experts say that stretching should be done BEFORE working out, others say that it should be done AFTER working out.
For myself, I stretch before and after.
Stretching exercises are very simple, and require no equipment like balls or ropes (although I suppose if you want to invest in those things to do things "different" now and again, it's okay, but you really don't need them.)
Sit down, placing both legs straight out in front of you. Then bend forward and try to touch, or touch, your knees with your forehead. (If your belly gets in the way..well, that's why you're wokring to lose weight.) If you can touch your forehead to your knees, try to lower your whole upper torso onto your thighs for a good stretch. Do this ten times.
Then, spread your legs wide apart, and try to touch your forehead to the floor, in between your two legs.
Then, bend from side to side to try to touch your forehead to each knee.
Then, bring the soles of your feet together, so that your knees stick out to the side, and again touch your forehead to the soles of your feet.
Stand up, and try to gradually slide into the splits position. Don't bounce or try to force yourself down. Only go down as far as is comfortable.
Finally, standing straight with legs at shoulder width, reach up with your hands as if you were trying to climb into the sky. Then, bend down from this standing position, and try to touch your forehead to your thighs or knees.
Then, just to finish off, rise up and down on your toes between ten to twenty times. This stretches out the Achilles tendon at the back of your ankles, and shapes the calves.
Know yourself and your tendencies - then you can modify them.
In order to lose weight and maintain your new weight once you've obtained it, you need to continue your exercise routine.
And stretching exercises should be part of your exercise routine.
There's controversy about this. Some experts say that stretching should be done BEFORE working out, others say that it should be done AFTER working out.
For myself, I stretch before and after.
Stretching exercises are very simple, and require no equipment like balls or ropes (although I suppose if you want to invest in those things to do things "different" now and again, it's okay, but you really don't need them.)
Sit down, placing both legs straight out in front of you. Then bend forward and try to touch, or touch, your knees with your forehead. (If your belly gets in the way..well, that's why you're wokring to lose weight.) If you can touch your forehead to your knees, try to lower your whole upper torso onto your thighs for a good stretch. Do this ten times.
Then, spread your legs wide apart, and try to touch your forehead to the floor, in between your two legs.
Then, bend from side to side to try to touch your forehead to each knee.
Then, bring the soles of your feet together, so that your knees stick out to the side, and again touch your forehead to the soles of your feet.
Stand up, and try to gradually slide into the splits position. Don't bounce or try to force yourself down. Only go down as far as is comfortable.
Finally, standing straight with legs at shoulder width, reach up with your hands as if you were trying to climb into the sky. Then, bend down from this standing position, and try to touch your forehead to your thighs or knees.
Then, just to finish off, rise up and down on your toes between ten to twenty times. This stretches out the Achilles tendon at the back of your ankles, and shapes the calves.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Day 1 of 2012
I am going to write this blog in chronological order, so that you can follow along with me and in one year, be well on the road to reaching your optimal weight.
Yes, you heard me, it's going to take you a year, perhaps more to reach your optimal weight (depending on where you're starting from, of course).
Why? Because you are not going to diet. You are going to gradually, gradually, gradually cut down on your eating, so much so that you won't even miss it. You're also going to increase your exercising gradually.
By the end of a year - 12 short months - you will have learned all you need to know to achieve your optimum weight, and you will have gotten started on a lifetime of fitness via your exercise program.
Why am I emphasizing the gradual nature of this program?
Because I am assuming that everyone reading this blog is someone who has failed at all their attempts at weight loss. Either you've failed entirely, not losing a pound, or you lost a lot of weight and have now gained it back and are in despairr.
I'm assuming that because it covers 70% of all dieters!
(The other 30% are, unfortunately, women who have already reached their optimum weight and keep dieting because they're overly concerned about their appearance. These are the women who obsess about every ounce of "overweight" they have. These women (and there some men in this category) need professional help to overcome this obsession.
****You want to be at your optimum weight not because of your appearance, but because of your health.****
This blog can help people who are healthy (no chronic diseases like diabetes) but are overweight because they can't control their appetite and have never acquired the habit of exercising.
I beeive people with mobility issues can benefit from this blog as well, only it will take twice as long. But by taking things slowly, you will succeed also.
Yes, you heard me, it's going to take you a year, perhaps more to reach your optimal weight (depending on where you're starting from, of course).
Why? Because you are not going to diet. You are going to gradually, gradually, gradually cut down on your eating, so much so that you won't even miss it. You're also going to increase your exercising gradually.
By the end of a year - 12 short months - you will have learned all you need to know to achieve your optimum weight, and you will have gotten started on a lifetime of fitness via your exercise program.
Why am I emphasizing the gradual nature of this program?
Because I am assuming that everyone reading this blog is someone who has failed at all their attempts at weight loss. Either you've failed entirely, not losing a pound, or you lost a lot of weight and have now gained it back and are in despairr.
I'm assuming that because it covers 70% of all dieters!
(The other 30% are, unfortunately, women who have already reached their optimum weight and keep dieting because they're overly concerned about their appearance. These are the women who obsess about every ounce of "overweight" they have. These women (and there some men in this category) need professional help to overcome this obsession.
****You want to be at your optimum weight not because of your appearance, but because of your health.****
This blog can help people who are healthy (no chronic diseases like diabetes) but are overweight because they can't control their appetite and have never acquired the habit of exercising.
I beeive people with mobility issues can benefit from this blog as well, only it will take twice as long. But by taking things slowly, you will succeed also.
Welcome to the new year
I've got a lot of new subscribers. I was expecting this. Everyone has made a New Year's resolution to lose weight.
Well, this is the blog that will help you to do it. Not quickly. Slowly = easily. And more importantly, you'll be able to keep the weight off.
So stick around for the ride.
Well, this is the blog that will help you to do it. Not quickly. Slowly = easily. And more importantly, you'll be able to keep the weight off.
So stick around for the ride.
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