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!