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.