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?