Whoa (a la Keanu Reeves)...where did the last month go?

Hi Fit Fatties at Heart,

Sorry for the neglect. Don't think I don't love you, think about you, and cry about you.  I've just been very busy with work the last month.

So let's talk.

I'll go first.

Todd 2, Easter Bunny 0.

That's right.  For 2 years that upright, dextrose-doling varmint has tried to knock me out of my routine by leaving me all kinds of goodies and I've escaped unscathed, although, I must admit, I've happily sampled a few of his wares.  Next year I'm buying a shotgun and shooting whatever moves in my house between 12 pm and 9 am on Easter Eve to assure a three-peat.

I've continued to maintain.

When I originally lost weight in 2009, my goal was 170, and my low was 168- down from 222. Since then I've gone up a few pounds- I'm currently around 173-174. I attribute that weight gain to muscle from spending more time lifting at the gym since losing. A few times along the way I've gone up to 175-176, usually due to holidays. I've maintained through a disciplined diet and almost daily exercise- the only tried and true methods for long-term weight loss and maintenance, in case you were wondering.

Multitasking has helped me immensely. I told you about the recumbent exercise bike I acquired about a month ago and for which I built a computer platform (pictured above). It's helped me a lot to be able to do cardio and work at the same time.

What else?  Let's see...in the last month I learned that excess salt causes blood to retain water, which in turn puts excess pressure on veins and arteries.  That's why excess salt is bad.

So what's new with you?  How goes the healthy eating and exercise?

Calorie posting...good for fit fatties at heart?

The FDA is moving to post calorie information on restaurant menus. According to a recent article in the Salt Lake Tribune from 4/2 entitled "Calorie Counting on Menus to Exempt Movie Theaters," this FDA mandate will probably be in place by 2012 in over 280,000 restaurants.

Here's my reaction:

Clap, clap, clap. I don't think posting calorie information will do much to help the 66% of overweight Americans, because when I was a fatty, I thought it was fun to load up on calories (I still do, just not very often). In my opinion, it's just unnecessary nannying by a federal agency.

I strongly believe the only thing that could really help the masses desire to eat healthy is a resurgence of social stigmas painting being overweight as undesirable...similar to anti-smoking campaigns. I don't know who would fund them.

The bottom line is, if someone is serious about eating healthy, he/she IS NOT buying fast food for lunch.

Eating my own dog food

I've preached about multitasking while working out.

I'm pleased to announce that yesterday I took a huge step to lower my hypocrisy on this front in purchasing a recumbent stationary bike for the family room!

My vision is to be able to work on the computer and watch TV (when those rare moments happen) while exercising! To date, all of our exercise equipment lives in the cold, dark, spider-dwelling, TV-less basement, and I've found it's impossible to work on a computer while jogging or ellipticaling.

Lindsey wouldn't let me put any other machines in the family room because of bulk, so this is the perfect compromise.

For my next project, does anyone have any multitasking solutions for driving, working on the computer, shaving, and nail-clipping?

Life is unfair- a rant and resolution

When I don't exercise regularly I tend to gain weight (this is on my mind because I've been sick for the past week an therefore haven't been able to exercise). Conversely, a buddy at work loses weight when he doesn't work out. It's not fair!

You may be wondering, "why is Todd being such a girl about this?" Well, it's because I've pegged my overall health level mostly to my weight since I don't have enough time to spend in the gym putting on significant muscle mass (significant muscle mass is THE only healthy reason behind excess weight by the way).

Like I've mentioned before, I used to really get down about the way my body works, specifically regarding weight gain. I've come to accept and even appreciate it now though, because I've realized that by reacting negatively to unhealthy behavior, my body is literally telling me to shape-up as necessary.

Final thought: If my body refuses to look good unless I'm in tip-top shape, I shouldn't curse it, I should count my blessings!

A wee thought for St. Patrick's Day (to be read with an Irish accent)

If I eat as much as leprechaun,

And I drink as much as a leprechaun,

I won't weigh much more than a leprechaun!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

I'm no longer under the influence of acid!!!

I probably could have chosen a better title, but I need you to know how nice it is to no longer suffer from indigestion and acid reflux!!! I was going through a drawer in my desk and found an old bottle of acid reducer pills from circa 2008 and it brought back some nasty memories of post-meal trauma.

For me, losing weight and eating healthy eliminated ALL indigestion I used to frequently suffer.

If that isn't motivation to be healthy, I don't know what is!

Anti-excess-sugar warriors need a cute slogan like "hugs, not drugs"

As a follow-up to yesterday's post, look at the fear "hugs, not drugs" put into the hearts of drug pushers and producers!  They started carrying guns to protect themselves.

To fight the battle we're now facing against the effects of excess sugar, we need something similar to whisper, chant, and scream at sweetened applesauce producers and the like.

Maybe...excess sucross is gross...only cuter.

Also, "ant-excess-sugar warriors is a stupid name.  How about, Super-Sugar-Suppression-Samurais, or something to that effect?

What ideas do you have for a slogan and a name?

The devil is in the details

A wise man once said: "extra sugar is bad for you."

One thing that has helped me reduce my sugar consumption is to read food package labels and only buy packaged products marked "all-natural" or "no added sugar".

When I read labels, I'm surprised at how much sugar is added to "healthy" products like applesauce, fruit juices, and even instant oatmeal.

In "healthy" products, I watch for ingredients like "high fructose corn syrup" or "evaporated cane juice," which are just sneaky sugar nick-names.

What's the most creative name for sugar you have seen?  

A tip for bouncing back after a binge

I usually let loose on Saturdays, which in turn forces me to loosen the belt on Sundays.  One thing I've found that helps me bounce back quickly is to make sure I exercise before going to bed Saturday night.  (I know, I know, it's a lot more fun to go straight to bed after eating a lot.)  For me, the best approach is to wait until a couple of hours have passed after eating, then watch a movie while riding the eliptical.  The benefits are 2-fold: I go to bed feeling good (without a "binge baby" as my brother calls it), and it's a lot easier to bounce back to normal weight the next week.  Try it next time to eat a lot and let me know if it helps.

Reminder: summer is approaching fast

In case you've been a cube-dwelling vampire like me and haven't noticed, The days are getting longer and warmer.

This is huge motivation for me to be fit.

I can't wait for the sun, hiking, running, biking, fishing, summer fruit, deep-fried goodness at the fair, and BBQs!

It's so much more fun to eat junk food, on occasion of course, when I'm fit!  ZERO GUILT!

If you haven't already, start P-90X, hit the gym, dust-off the treadmill, etc.  Summer is too fun to spend fat, unhealthy and on the couch!     

The perfect gas station snack...

...has to fit these 4 criteria: healthy(ish), tasty, non-perishable, and difficult to binge on.

Well friends, I found it a while ago, but I thought I'd share it with you today...

BLUE DIAMOND WASABI AND SOY SAUCE ALMONDS!!!!!!!

Here's the story:

On business trips, since I'm used to eating often I tend to go nuts on an empty stomach, I have had to find something to snack on from convenience stores that fits the 4 criteria above as well as possible.  Normally fruit would be the top choice, but it's not always available and can be harder to conceal without it rotting.

My favorite part is, it's hard to binge with those babies because they're so hot they make me cry.  Well, a lot of things make me cry (beer commercials, Who's the Boss), so that's maybe not a good reason, but still, they're hot.

Let me know if you agree, disagree, or have found a better alternative.

10-4 

No matter who you voted for, Michelle Obama is right to take on obesity!

Surpise: America faces a "huge" and "growing" obesity problem!  The sad part is, this problem is hurting our ability to live long, productive, enjoyable lives.  The tragic part is, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association on Jan. 13, 2010, the percentage of obese children has TRIPLED since 1990, now hovering at 17%.  Most of these kids will be obese adults, thus perpetuating the trend.

Michelle Obama has taken heat for taking on this issue.  Although I don't think government intervention is necessarily the right approach for fixing this or any epidemic, more power to her for raising awareness about it.

I know from personal experience how hard it is to free oneself from the chains of obesity (or the sumo-suit of obesity...however you want to look at it).  On this issue, as a society, we need all the help we can get!

What's my motivation to maintain?

I'd thought I'd write a quick follow-up to my last post to spell out my motivation for making sure I maintain, and taking extra steps when necessary:

-It's silly to have gone to the trouble of losing a significant amount of weight if I'm not going to maintain.  That's like planning a date for weeks then calling your date "fat" when you pick her up (even if you have good, fitfattyatheart intentions)
-Peace of mind- I like knowing that I'm healthy and am doing what I can to prevent future health problems
-I like looking good (I'm so vain, and yes, this post is about me)

Look, I know how fun it is to eat whatever I want and throw caution to the wind (health-wise), but trust me, THE CONSEQUENCES ARE NOT WORTH IT! 

I have to stop this runaway bus!

My current predicament reminds me of a movie I saw once where there was a bus that had to stay above 50ish miles per hour or it would explode, and they had to figure out a way to get everyone off and stop it.  I think it was called "The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round," and it had Ted from "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure."

Over the last couple of weeks I've unexpectedly gained a few pounds.  I think it's due to a combination of factors: less exercising over the last month or so, more snacking at night (even though it's been on whole grain cereals), and eating a huge pizza last weekend on my cheat day (normally I'll eat whatever I want, but not that much).

Here's my plan of attack:

-First, my goal: lose 5 pounds.
-Make sure I'm exercising an hour per day, including 15 minute morning burn, 20 minute gym burn during the day, and 30 minute night time cardio burn.
-Weigh myself every day to track progress (I've been a little forgetful on this front)
-No cheating until I reach my goal.  It might take me up to 3 weeks, but it's worth it.
-No sedentary TV watching- I have to be doing push-ups or sit-ups if I watch the news in the evening.

I'll keep you updated on my progress.

The Costco Quandary

I'm a regular Costco shopper, so don't take me for a hater, but I've been thinking about it a lot lately and have come to the conclusion that Costco is not the best place for a fit fatty at heart to shop often.

Why?  Because it's easy to bring home a ton of cheap junk food each trip.  This is bad for me because the more I have junk food (or any kind of food really) around the house, the more I tend to eat.

Now, it's nice to buy in bulk and save money per weight unit.  So I believe the best use for Costco for a fit fatty at heart is stocking up on healthy, non-perishable food commodities like canned tuna, frozen vegetables, frozen fish, etc., maybe once a month.   

Let me know if you think I'm nuts.

Get fit for Fido

Last night Lindsey and I took our little guy to a large pet store to look at the animals.  I used to work there as a teenager, so for me it was a stroll down memory lane.

Tears filled my eyes as I remembered being bitten by the hamsters.

One thing I noticed that wasn't there 12+ years ago was a bunch of weight-loss products for dogs and cats.  I thought they were funny, but when I started observing the customers and their leashed animals, I realized they were necessary.  They were mostly all huge!

It turns out my head has been in the sand throughout the last decade.

There was an article yesterday on cbslocal.com called "America's Portly Pet Problem," that points out some of the craziness due to our laziness.  The article mentions that a group called The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention claims that 50% of America's pets are overweight or obese.  That's approaching the adult human population, who enjoys a rate of 66%.

Here's a shocker: apparently pet obesity is due to overfeeding and under-exercising.  The problems experienced by animals from obesity are those experienced by humans: diabetes, high blood-pressure, cancer, kidney failure, etc.

So, if my family isn't motivating me to be healthy, I should get fit for Fido.

So, how are the New Year's Resolutions going?

Well, we've passed the honeymoon New Year's Resolution period and are staring cold, hard reality in the face.  I wanted to give you an update on mine and solicit feedback from others who are still going.

My NYR was/is a six-pack by June, cutely named a "6X6."  I began the year with a flat, undefined stomach, and today I still have a flat, undefined stomach. :(  Although I've maintained my fitness level and weight, I've let work get in the way of taking it to the next level, which I can't say is necessarily a bad thing.  Luckily I was already used to carving time out of my schedule to do the minimum amount of exercise (30-60 minutes per day).  At least I still have a few months.

Those of you who have made progress on fitness resolutions, what's working?  Any magic pills or drinks I should know about? :) 

What if I can't make it to the gym?

I don't "sweat" it if I can't make it to the gym.  I do calisthenics (that was prime Bob Saget material I must say).  Calisthenics are exercises where one uses his/her own weight as resistance, like push-ups, pull-ups, crunches, etc.

As I mentioned in the "about me" section, I didn't go to a gym to lose weight.  I didn't rely solely on cardio either.  From what I've learned it's actually a bad idea to rely only on cardio to lose weight because a person burns more calories each day the more muscle he/she has.  I credit a huge amount of my weight loss to Calisthenics.

If you're going to work out at home, I would suggest researching the best calisthenic routines to help you reach your specific fitness goals, instead of just doing a bunch of random exercises.  Be sure to push yourself, but make sure you stretch and you get enough rest to recover so you don't get hurt.

**SHHH!!!- Secret tip for absorbing only half the calories when dining out**

OK, it's not really a secret...unless you've never been good at division.

Here's the tip: make your Valentines Day better by sharing one meal when you go out to eat, that is, if you didn't already celebrate it on Saturday like Lindsey and me.

Here are the reasons sharing a meal makes it better:

1. The meal is more cost effective (or cheaper, for the cheapskates among us), which frees up money for lingerie and flowers
2. Sharing a meal is much more romantic- remember "Lady and the Tramp?"  They totally hooked up that night.
3. There is more room for "dessert," which can be interpreted 2 ways: you can actually eat dessert after the meal, and/or you don't have to be a beached whale the rest of the evening, i.e. "lovin'."
4. You probably won't have leftovers the next day to tempt you if you're trying to be healthy.

Happy Valentines Day!

How do I handle Valentine's Day?

-I find the most delicious looking flowers at the grocery store (the trick is to imagine them covered in ranch dressing)
-I make sure Cupid uses suction cup arrows, not broadheads or points
-I queue up some romantic "Wierd Al" or "Korn" music
-I put on my classiest polyester suit, wide, yellow tie, and high-tops
-I rent a romantic cassette tape... I'm thinking "Pee Wee's Big Adventure" this year
-Finally, I save the chocolates and the dining-out for the weekend before or after.

A reason to look forward to summer

I love winter in North America.

There's nothing as emotionally satisfying as leaving work at 5 pm in the dark, nor as serene as getting blasted by freezing air while waiting for the car heater to warm up.

Since most of us are probably dreading the onset of Spring, I'll offer one reason to look ahead: summer fruits!

I'm not talking about the homosexual snowbirds returning from Palm Springs.

I used to hate fresh fruits as a fatty (except pineapple).  Now, as a fit-fatty-at-heart, summer has become a veritable smorgasbord of good, inexpensive fruit!  Strawberries, peaches, watermelon, raspberries, blueberries, etc. etc. etc.!  It's a lot easier to eat of lot of them and stay fit than ice cream.

If a fruit company ever makes a commercial about summer fruits, maybe this could be the slogan:

"Summer fruits make summer the 3rd season of the year!"   

Good news (to a few of you maybe), I'm not dying!

It's important to note that this post is going to make me sound like an old man, because I can't remember the last time I heard anyone under 80 brag about a doctor visit.  Also, a few years ago as a health-agnostic fatty I didn't care at all about my vitals.  I've paid attention to them ever since I changed my health habits and lifestyle.

I went to see the doctor the other day because I was worried about my heart.  I have a resting heart rate of 35 beats per minute (average is 60 to 100), and although I work out almost every day, I'm not an elite athlete, so I thought something was wrong.  To give you more context, Lance Armstrong's resting heart rate is apparently between 32 and 34 bpm.

As happy as I was, my heart definitely wasn't racing when the doctor told me it's a reflection of my excellent health.   

It is rewarding and motivating for me to know that I'm considered extremely healthy because I don't want to lose any hard-won momentum.

By the way, to find out what your resting heart rate is, count your pulse for one minute first-thing in the morning before getting out of bed.

Americans love to win big, and there's apparently no exception in the weight gain category!

I don't know how to react to the news "Americans grew fatter at a faster pace than residents of any other wealthy nation since 1980, during a period when obesity worldwide nearly doubled," reported in Bloomberg on 2/3/2011 in an article titled "American Waistlines Expand at Fastest Pace Among Rich Nations, Study Finds (the article is actually a summary of three articles published by The Lancet on the same day that report on global obesity, cholesterol, and blood pressure)."

Should I put my hand over my heart, or should I barf? 

Seriously, how can we (Americans) tolerate this news?  Pardon my objectivity, but America is the greatest nation on earth.  Period.  Through America's championing of freedom, capitalism, hard work, and ingenuity, the world has been more blessed and enjoyed a higher standard of living than ever before.

The thing is, we've been THE world super-power arguably since WWII and undisputedly since 1989.  Why are we getting fatter now?  What happened to our self-control?  I hope we're not just getting lazy.

Now, I'm the last person in the world who can point the finger.  As you know, I was a fatty for most of my life.  But, news like this really motivated me to lose weight and still motivates me to maintain.  Maybe it appeals to my inner patriot, or maybe I just don't like to be easily stereotyped.  Probably some of both.  Does it motivate you?

How do I increase my metabolism?

My metabolism is naturally slow.  If it were a driver, it would putt around in an old Buick, semis would fly past it on the freeway, and young people would wonder how it still has a license. 

That is my sort in life, but I've learned that I can take actions to speed it up.  I can paint flames on the Buick and give the driver lead shoes and a bad attitude.    

There's a great article in WebMD called "Increase Your Metabolism- And Start Losing Fat" by Jenny Stamos Kovacs, published in February 2007, that gives some great context on metabolism and tips on how to increase it.  Note: since I became healthy, I've implemented most of these tips in my life.

Context excerpts:  
-Everyone can increase his/her metabolism.
-Metabolic rate depends on the number of calories consumed, the number of calories burned while eating and exercising, and the calories burned due to one's genetic makeup.
-The best way to change one's metabolism is to INCREASE one's need for energy.
-Metabolism does slow down with age, but most of that loss is attributable to a lower amount of physical activity, not fate.  If one maintains his/her level of physical activity, his/her metabolism will only decrease by 1-2% over his/her lifespan compared to an average 20-40% (again due mostly to a decrease of physical activity).

Tips to increase metabolism:
-Put on lean muscle
-Integrate high intensity bursts into one's regular cardio workout- 30 seconds of high-intensity for every 3 minutes of regular.
-Get a recommended amount of sleep
-Eat often, but eat right- vegetables, fruits, lean meats, and other high-fiber foods
-Don't rely on stimulants or boosters like green tea, coffee, hot peppers, etc.  They've been shown to have little if any positive effect on metabolism.
-Eat more fish and fish oil- the omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to significantly increase metabolism
-Don't rely as much coolers and heaters- too much comfort decreases the amount of energy one expends to keep warm and cool
-Find ways to move as much as possible- avoid sedentary activity

Let me know if you have any other tips.

Putting a healthy-eating myth to sleep

There's a healthy-eating myth that needs to finally die or be killed: "Eating healthy is too expensive."

It's not. 

I have heard it over and over, and used to believe it, so allow me to debunk it for us.

It's true that certain unhealthy foods (like Ramen Noodles, Twinkies, white bread, etc.) may cost less than healthy foods (like fruits, vegetables, lean meats, whole grains, etc.) on a one-off or pound-for-pound basis.  For example, creamy peanut butter may be cheaper than all-natural, and hot-dogs may be cheaper per-pound than chicken breasts, but there's one fundamental aspect of unhealthy eating that balloons the cost past healthy eating: eating out.

According to the wussy NRA (the National Restaurant Association), in 2000 Americans were eating out an average of 4.2 times per week.  That figure has probably trended upward since.

I submit to you that the money spent eating out far outweighs any additional premium paid for eating healthy, even if one spends a low average of $5 for each restaurant meal. 

Please put your right hand over your heart and repeat after me: I.promise.next.time.I.hear.someone.say.eating.healthy.is.too.expensive.I.will.pull.the.nearest.fire.alarm.

Sleepless in Salt Lake City

Part of my motivation to lose weight was to reduce my fatigue.  I used to doze off every afternoon at work and would sleep at every opportunity.  I really was more of a beached-whale than a human.

My daytime fatigue has disappeared since I became healthy, and I've tried to reduce my sleep time as much as possible, but I'm learning I still need it.  In being extraordinarily busy this last month, I've tried to go without much sleep and have noticed detrimental effects on my health including prolonged illness and a little bit of weight-gain.

It turns out those effects are normal and common among sleep-deprived folks.  A January 2006 Harvard Medical School article lists 6 common areas negatively affected by chronic sleep deprivation:

1. Learning and memory
2. Metabolism and weight gain
3. Safety (alertness, etc.)
4. Mood
5. Cardiovascular health
6. Disease

Although sleep may seem like a necessary evil, it's a necessary part of transforming one from a beached-whale into an Evel Knievel.

Tell me if you've experienced negative side-effects of sleep deprivation or if you've found a way to function (naturally- I know about energy drinks:) with less sleep?

Because you loved me

That's right, PINEAPPLE... ... ... ... 

I just realized that Celine wrote that song about you
You are the only food that loves me back, it's true 
You ain't no one night stand, I take you in my hands
And I find the sweet that's deep within your pokey skin

Unbelievable to me, hardly a calorie
And naturally loaded with vitamin C
Let me have you now, I can't wait to eat
The only healthy food that's like a naughty treat

Fighting fatigue with exercise?

I've been working long hours lately and barely exercised at all last week due to a cold.  Luckily I've reached a point after a couple years of consistent daily exercise that I feel gross, weak, and soft if I don't exercise for a few days (as a fatty, I used to look for every excuse to practice beached-whaleism).  Despite my exhaustion last night after a long day, I still ran for 30 minutes.  The result?  It was a lot easier to wake up this morning, and I feel more like Mr. T again instead of Mr. Rogers.

A study done by the Department of Kinesiology at the University of Georgia, published in the March 2008 edition of the Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, gives evidence of the positive effects of exercise on fatigue.  36 young adults with symptoms of fatigue syndrome, but no other serious medical conditions, were divided into 3 groups- one doing high-intensity exercise, one low-intensity, and a control.  After 6 weeks, the high-intensity and low intensity exercise groups saw the same increase in energy levels and improved mood, and the control group saw no change.

I know it's counter-intuitive, but exercise beats fatigue.   

Another thought from the fatty point of view

I've opened my naturally thin brother's eyes to a whole new way of thinking, and his response has been surprise and disbelief.  People like him just don't lust after food like fatties and fit fatties at heart.  That probably explains in part why he's never struggled with weight.

He had no idea that a fat person would potentially open a bag of Doritos thinking, "these are made of corn and cheese, a member of the grain group and a member of the dairy group.  There can't be anything unhealthy about 'em."

Here's one I remembered yesterday that I conveniently used as an excuse for years:

"I learned in biology that we burn sugar for energy.  These Pixie Sticks have sugar in them, and I need energy, so I should eat them."

Excess sugar appears to be the root of most of our weight problems.

All "diets" lead to disappointment

It's possible to lose weight on any diet.  Weight loss is really just a simple math problem: if I burn more calories than I consume, I lose weight.  A pound of fat is simply 3500 calories being stored by my body.

If losing weight is so conceptually simple, then why do so many people (me included when I was a fatty) struggle with their weight, even when they do diet after diet?

The answer is simple too: a diet is nothing more than a quick-fix to a long-term problem.  The long-term problem is over-eating, or eating more calories than my body is burning.

A diet can be a tool for short-term weight loss, but if I am interested in long-term health, looks, and results, the only real solution is a lifestyle change, which may include a diet and exercise.  It's a life-long journey.

Although I've lost weight and kept it off, I'm going to recommit to my healthy lifestyle.  I invite you to join me.

The more I think about a healthy lifestyle, plan, and find motivation, the easier it becomes.  I know I've arrived when I catch myself making healthy choices without even consciously thinking about them.



 

How do I maintain my weight with a pregnant wife?

I love having a pregnant wife!  I'm elated to have another baby, and despite what she thinks, I find Lindsey very attractive with a bump.

But...how do I keep from myself from growing a bump?  The hard part has been the non-Todd-approved food decorating our kitchen.  Lindsey has been very nauseated and unable to eat any of our regular healthy staples (chicken breast, yams, whole wheat bread, etc.) with few exceptions.  In fact, even cooking them makes her sick.  She can only eat what sounds good to her at any random moment- usually foods that we both would normally consider unhealthy or even disgusting.  She's really making a huge sacrifice for this little one- but Lindsey is that kind of woman.

As a result, I've been bombarded by attractive potato-chip bags, animal crackers, Hamburger Helper, chemical bread (white sandwich bread that I've always found to have a yucky aftertaste...even when I was a bonafide fatty), ice cream, chocolate, etc. etc. etc.

If I were still a fatty, I would not squander the opportunity to put on several pounds along with m'lady.  My life would be a veritable smorgasbord right now.  As a fit fatty at heart however, walking through the kitchen has become a daily battle.

Here are a few tips that have helped me remain a fit fatty at heart:

-Ask Lindsey to hide the unhealthy food so I don't see it- "Out of sight, out of mind"
-Cook reserves of healthy food as seldom as possible
-Eat healthy foods with her as often as she can- she still craves different fruits and vegetables
-Recommit to my healthy eating behavior- it's like with drugs- if I don't make the right decision now, it's harder to make the right decision in the moment, especially with a hot doughnut looking me up and down
-Offer to help as much as possible- this keeps me active and out of couch-potato mode

I dream of the day my family will be able to once again easily fuel our machines with premium unleaded like the healthy little robots we try to be.

Should I get a gym membership?

It's a very common question this time of year.  Although I make it clear in my "about me" section that I lost weight without any paid help, I have since purchased a gym membership.  I try and get 30 minutes in each day, but it's not easy with my work schedule.  I often still end up working out at home in the evening.

My answer to the title is yes, IF (if any Gold's workers are reading this, please don't send any angry creatine creations after me, I'm just trying to be honest):

-I've been working toward fitness goals for several months
-I'm already working out consistently at home
-I have an equally committed workout friend or group

Otherwise, it's probably going to end up being a waste of money.

More thoughts that might suggest you're a fatty

Wow!  Yesterday's post sparked a ton of response!  Check out a few of these gems people sent me:

Steve C. wrote:  A hamburger is a well balanced meal: meat, veggies (lettuce, tomoatoes), dairy (cheese and mayo), grains (bun), ....

Shayla T. wrote:  Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies qualify as a vegetable, right?

B & K wrote:  Don't forget vegetables drenched in cheese sauce and "pumpkin" pie. Also--a Cafe Rio "salad" drenched in creamy tomatillo dressing. It's still a salad and salads are good for you, right? 


Cortney W. wrote:  Todd...I never thought you were a fatty. Just wanted to let you know. :) 

(Cortney, you're right.  I was "husky.") 

Here are a few more Lindsey and I thought of (remembered).

-I "should" eat that Fillet-O-Fish because I need Omega 3s.

-I "should" eat these fruit snacks because they contain 3% fruit juice and vitamin C.

-These strawberries may be dipped in chocolate, but hey, they're strawberries.

-The banana cancels out the ice cream in the split.

And one of my personal favorites:

-I can eat as many of these Red Vines as I want because they're FAT FREE!

If any of these thoughts have crossed your mind, you might be a fatty

-Potato chips and onion rings are "vegetables." 

-Butter and whipped cream are "dairy" foods.

-Sprite and lemonade are "clear fluids."

-Cookies and cupcakes are part of the "grain" group.

-Because pizza contains cheese (dairy), crust (grains), mushrooms and sauce (vegetables), and pepperoni (meat), it is a "well-balanced" meal.

-Drinking a Diet Coke is "hydrating."

-I should eat that Milky Way bar because chocolate is "good" for my heart.

-Cheese-drenched nachos are good for me because they contain "grains" and "diary."

When I was a fatty in high school, I used to eat several corndogs per day because "they're meat covered with grains, and I should eat meat and grains every day because they're members of the 4 food groups."  I honestly thought this way, just as I believed the explanation, "part of a well-balanced breakfast," at the end of a Captain Crunch commercial (is there an MLM drink made out of Crunch Berry juice by the way?).  How have you justified eating junk food, either naively or purposefully?

I eat like no one else so I can eat like no one else

I had an unusual thought today at work while eating a can of tuna, a bowl of vegetables, and some black beans: the "big-boned" me from 4 years ago would laugh at, and be jealous of, the "fit" me of today, and I would poke him in the tummy and he would giggle like Poppin' Fresh.

He'd laugh because of what I eat most of the time.  He'd be jealous because he'd feel guilty and embarrassed about his weight, appearance, and laziness.

The title of this post is making fun of a popular but true Dave Ramsey saying.  Just like with personal finance, as far as personal health is concerned, I have the choice of whether I pay a bit later (in the form of a massive balloon payment...like a heart attack...with a bad quality of life along the way) or pay a little bit each day and enjoy a much longer, more productive, and fun life (as well as the ability to occasionally eat whatever I want absolutely guilt free).  

The price is a healthy diet (most of the time) and consistent exercise (most of the time).

It might actually be easier for a busy body to have a healthy body

This past week was insanely busy for me, which made it much easier to get back into my healthy eating routine after celebrating the New Year because eating became a necessary hassle- very weird.  Normally, getting back into my healthy routine after a holiday is harder than after a regular weekend- especially on Mondays.  This week I still ate several small meals each day and exercised, a bit less than normal for both, but I'd bet I burned more calories during each day.

On a different but related note, I typically eat more on weekends, and have thought for a long time that it's simply because I'm seeing more food (constantly walking past the kitchen) and trying not to be busy.

The bottom line...being busier doesn't have to be a bad thing as far as fitness is concerned, it can actually be a good thing, and I've noticed it helps when I use my busy schedule to my advantage instead of as an excuse to eat poorly and not exercise.  To use it to my advantage, I have to have all of my meals planned and healthy food available, otherwise it's too easy to get fast or vending machine food.  By the way, avoiding fast and vending machine food has become easier for me the longer I have done it.  

I had no idea how gross I used to feel when I ate too much

Whenever I over-eat like I did on Christmas (Santa and Rudolph held a gun to my head and forced me to eat all the cookies everyone left them), I'm reminded of how good it feels to be healthy.  I went to bed that night feeling bloated and jittery.  I used to feel that way all the time and thought it was normal.

It took me a few months of very healthy eating to see a stark difference between feeling healthy and feeling fat.

Out of sight, out of mind

Over the last week and a half, there were at least a couple of times where I ate junk food during non-designated indulgence periods (cheat days).  Each time it was simply because I had been seeing a Christmas treat on the counter or on the table for a few days and finally given in to the temptation.

I've mentioned similar things before, but I have to hide/toss junk food or I will probably eat it if I continue to see it around.  I'll bet you're like me, in which case I would suggest doing the same thing if you're trying to lose or maintain- hide or toss the junk food.  If you are a fatty at heart but have honestly learned a way to resist junk food staring you down, please tell me how.