Pour a cup of tea, light a candle, and pull out pen and paper. Take a few deep breaths and ask yourself, “What do I want to experience during my time on this earth?” This is a BIG question and one worth giving lots of space. Begin penning your dreams and be sure to include ones you’ve already accomplished. Let this list be a guide for how you choose to spend your 50ish free hours each week. 

Here is a sampling of the author's list in no particular order:

sky dive – done
ride in hot air balloon
hike grand canyon – done
backpack through europe – done
dance in paris – done
pray in india
be a CNN hero
have high tea at the plaza eloise style
be on the today show
see an opera in NY – done
have a tiny cottage in the woods
run a half marathon
surfing lessons in hawaii – done
white water rafting – done
column in popular media
see moulin rouge – done
take golf lessons – done
don a hot pink sari
visit bali
have a rescue pet pig
safari in africa
get a PhD
host a tv show
donate one million dollars to charity
start a foundation – done
be on the cover of a magazine
be featured in a book – done
write a book – done
help end factory farming
write a best-seller
sun in greece – done
eat in italy – done
sleep in a castle – done
have a loving partnership – done
take a sabbatical
gondola ride in venice – done
snowboard in colorado – done
produce a film/documentary
design a clothing line – done
see orangutans + gorillas in their natural habitat
be a full-time philanthropist
play the harmonium
go on a sleigh ride – done
write a memoir

Do you have a bucket list? What to share some of it? If you don't have a bucket list, why & are you more a "things I dream to do" type of person?

Also coming back to health & fitness, this statement from above: We have 168 hours each week. If you sleep 9 hours per night and work a 50-hour work week, you have a little over 50 hours left of free time. Where is that going? Begin tracking it and you will be enlightened.

Can't you find some time in there to move more & eat better???

Also, have to thank DR. J again for the post yesterday!!!! If you missed it, a must read!

The only thing that ever sat its way to success was a hen. Sarah Brown

The above quote is my quote of the week. It made me think of how we are becoming a society of lazy slugs.. sitting whenever we can, cutting out school children gym classes & exercise programs. Making parents pay for all aspects of sports & after school extra curricular activities. Yes, I understand the budget issues but think of the kids whose parents don't have the money for these things, especially in this economy. It is not a cut & dry thing. So many aspects to the whole thing & I understand that. It just is so frustrating!

Dr. J & I along with many other bloggers talk about the great need for preventative measures! If we don't do that, we are just passing on our bad habits & behaviors to the next generation which is already happening & they will pass it on & so forth. THIS HAS GOT TO STOP!!!! I was also reading how habits have to be "ingrained" or at least learned before the kids start school because once there, it is not pretty....

So, with no further stalling.. read this great piece by Dr. J:

The Great American Obesity Machine

There was an old TV show that was quite revolutionary for its time called “The Great American Dream Machine.” It told stories about actual people who, “by the dawn's early light and the twilight's last gleaming,” were able to actualize their desires and realize "The Great American Dream!"

Unfortunately, America has created a more successful, but much less personally rewarding machine: The Great American Obesity Machine.

The inmates are running the asylum

I remember, when I was doing my psychiatric rotation in medical school, being asked by a patient, “Dr. J, do you think I'm crazy?” (They called medical students doctor. Actually, they called everyone with a white coat at the hospital doctor!) Always believing in honesty, I replied, “I sure hope so!”

Here we are, “inmates” of our own self-created psychiatric hospital. The Great American Obesity Machine, like some kind of Chaplinesque feeding device, that keeps rolling us down the demented assembly line, with altered minds and bodies, as happens with any addiction or habit!

Our minds look for ways to make it all acceptable rather than looking for ways to really solve it. We put Band-Aids on ruptured arteries and we wonder why the blood keeps flowing. Our bodies are getting larger and larger. We lumber about with some sort of self-created deformity, rather than face our destructive addictions and habits.

What do we do about it? We invent diets to deal with it! Let's do the no whatever diet. Well if that doesn't work, let’s try the eat more of this diet. So many of our respected advisors just keep making up new diets that will help us avoid the GAOM (Great American Obesity Machine) while people keep criticizing them for just trying to make money selling us useless diet books!

With our present thinking, rather than seeing things clearly, we bend the truth to fit our altered state.

I remember when the Mediterranean diet was all the rage. People were eating tons of olive oil with everything. No one seemed to notice or care that the people who live in the Mediterranean region have fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins as the majority of the their actual diet, with olive oil used sparingly as the main oil additive.

I read a discussion wondering whether we eat too much protein, though as a percentage of our food we probably eat less protein than we used to, given the increase in carbohydrates and fats. If you look at amounts of food eaten, not the percentages, we are eating too much in every category!

Refusing to change won’t make it better

If you were getting a headache every day because, while you were walking down a particular street, someone was hitting you on the head with a hammer, one would think at least, you would walk down a different street eventually!

But we keep looking for ways to get down that same street without it being hammer time! Not going to happen. Modify the hammer? Nope! Wear a helmet? Still hurts. How about trying another street? No, so many reasons not to. I know, we call the pain normal. That is the path we are taking.

We are doing everything we can to make this Great American Obesity Machine the normal reality of humanity, and our physical makeup is breaking down under this assault. We, as a species, were not designed to function well at these higher weights.

If not for every aspect of our modern, technologically advanced society working overtime to keep us limping along, we would have broken down long ago.

What can we do about it?

We must be willing to see and accept that the path we are on will not lead our species to a healthy resolution. Thirty years ago, less than a third of us were overweight or obese. Now more than two thirds of us are, and it's continuing to increase. Rather than back to the future, we need to go forward to the past!

Until we have societal changes that, like it or not, address the core obesogenic problems, like our distorted, exaggerated relationship with altered foods and our entrenched avoidance of an active lifestyle, The Great American Obesity Machine will just, like the mighty Mississippi, just keep rolling along!

It's time to rage against this machine!

As we say in aviation slang, it's time to kick the tires and start the fires of our new machine: The Great American Fitness Machine!

You will find it here at Jody's, and at CalorieLab running 24/7. We are  all in this together. We all have to do this together!

OK, time for you to weigh, no pun intended but a great "weigh" to say it.... Thoughts, discussion, anything you want to share!!!

Who is ready to rage against the machine - Let's TERMINATE the GAOM and let's live the Great American Fitness Machine as Dr. J so eloquently put it!!!!

I have always advocated finding programs, both eating & fitness wise, that match what you like and most importantly that you will stick with for life. We want to get away from the all those crazy "diets" which seem to indicate that you will do something for a period of time & then stop. What everyone needs is a program for life, not for short term or a specified period of time. You need to be able to sustain this long term, live with it & be happy with it! A program that will work for you - I know, I say it ALL THE TIME! But, if you can't live with it long term, the weight is not going to stay off.

So, I decided to post an older post. It is a funny yet insightful read on how people find their own ways & inspirations to help them lose weight.

So, back then, I saw a great article about a lady that made up her own language to help her with her "life program". Everyone finds ways to make a health & fitness program for themselves & her way was quite fun to read. She invented a new language for her program like:

• "DO IT PROGRAM" -- not a diet program --and so I'm now really "doing it" - eating healthier for life.
• "APPRECI-EAT." This word is all about slowing down the eating and thereby tasting food more - so you'll want to eat less." I certainly have written about this in the past plus the slower you eat, the more time your body has to register the food & "tell you" that you are full.
• "FORWARD" and "BACKWARD." Every food one chooses to eat either moves you forward to your dream weight - or backwards to gaining more weight.
• "WALLPOWER!" To hell with ordinary mere mortal willpower. When you have WALLPOWER, nothing will be able to break through your wall of commitment!

I really liked one of her facts too which says: FACT: If you want to lose weight you must make sure your appetite for life is far bigger than your appetite for mere food.

It really is a fun read so check it out here: Winning Weight Loss Tip: It's Not Just About What You Put Into Your Mouth.

I certainly hope that this gives you another option to help with your own program or at the least, shows you how to think differently to accomplish your own personal goals! Maybe it is something like the above. Maybe it is like me who just wants to push the envelope for an almost 53 year old "battleaxe"! I love that the younger guys in the gym start checking out their own arms every time they see mine. I find it amusing! I am doing one thing right! AND, just little things like that are a motivation to me.

Find and make your own motivation. You can do it!!!! Tell me what you do or what motivates you!!!

Also have to wish my friend from Spain, Reid, a very HAPPY BDAY! I am still 1 year younger than you!  Honestly, he is 54! Does he ever age.. NOT!

4 acai berry tea bags (I used Stash Acai Berry Herbal Tea for this recipe)
20 drops of liquid stevia (stevia is an herb that is naturally sweet.  It is the only sweetener that doesn’t raise blood sugar levels)
4-1/2 to 5 cups water, boiled
Juice of 1 lemon
Ice

In a Pyrex container add the acai berry tea bags (with the paper tags removed).  Allow to steep for 5 to 10 minutes.  Add the stevia and boiled water.  Fill two large glasses (or 4 small ones) with ice and lemon juice.

Serves 2 to 4

Iced Chai
The almond milk is an excellent source of calcium and magnesium.  The tea and spices have antibacterial and antioxidant properties.  Cinnamon helps regulate blood sugar.

½ cup liquid chai concentrate (I used Tazo Organic Chai Concentrate for this recipe)
1 cup almond milk (From Jody - I am guessing you can use unsweetened vanilla amond breeze. Let me know if I am wrong)
Dash freshly-ground nutmeg
4 medium ice cubes
Dash of cinnamon

Mix all ingredients except the cinnamon in a shaker or glass.  Pour into 1 large glass or 2 small glasses to serve and sprinkle with cinnamon.

Serves 1 to 2

Sugar-Free Green Tea Lemonade
There are many great healing properties of green tea, ranging from burning belly fat to warding off cancer.  Read 9 Reasons to Drink Green Tea here.  Fresh lemon juice contains over 20 anti-cancer phytonutrients (more in an upcoming post).

1/4 teaspoon of matcha (green tea powder)
Juice of 1 lemon
6 drops of liquid stevia (stevia is an herb that is naturally sweet.  It is the only sweetener that doesn’t raise blood sugar levels)
2 cups water
Ice

Blend all ingredients except ice in a blender.  Add the ice to 1 or 2 glasses.  Pour green tea lemonade mixture over ice and serve.

Serves 1 to 2

Do you drink both iced & hot tea? What is your fav tea & fav tea drink. Share with others!!!

Thursday August 26, 2010

FAILURE. A word that brings all kinds of emotions to most of us. I have written often about my fear of failure, mostly in the real world, not the fitness realm. For some, failure is a word that is NOT BAD. It spurs them on to try again, do more, challenge themselves more, learn a lesson. It actually is not failure but a learning lesson.

For others, failure is a bad word... one that leaves a person down & depressed & not wanting to try again. I think for many, this is the case.

I actually have a post coming up Monday about the power of words & what one person did to blast thru the words we play over & over in our heads. How we can start thinking in terms that help us vs. harm us.

My dear friend Dr. J has his perspective on the value of failure & lessons he learned along the way. Maybe this is the way that will help you. There are so many different paths we can take to reach our goals. Take a read on Dr. J's version of the word failure. Don't forget, Dr. J is up & running at CalorieLab again & it is fast now!!!

The Value of Failure

We live in unusual times! Who would have thought as children, or adults for that matter, that being “The Biggest Loser” would be a good thing?

Actually losing, or failure, can be a good thing, and plays an important role in our having successful lives.

The benefits of failure

Failure can motivate us to a greater success! Failure can be a learning experience from which we can grow and achieve new things through our new education. Failure can be looked at as a part of the process of our growth, not a dead end to our path. Perhaps just a speed bump on our personal highway, not a solid barrier that stops our progress like a brick wall.


As children, failure was merely part of the process of learning. Oh, the tediousness of those piano lessons! Always hitting the wrong key, just when you thought you would make it of the end of the piece! Or you could change to playing the guitar like I did, and go back and learn piano later when your self-motivation was stronger and did not rely on being forced to practice by someone else! There is no failure, really, only lessons to be learned.

Never confuse failing with being a failure! Tom Robbins, the author, has some thoughts about failure:

So you think that you’re a failure, do you? Well, you probably are. What’s wrong with that? In the first place, if you’ve any sense at all you must have learned by now that we pay just as dearly for our triumphs as we do for our defeats. Go ahead and fail. But fail with wit, fail with grace, fail with style. A mediocre failure is as
insufferable as a mediocre success.

He also says, “Embrace failure! Seek it out. Learn to love it. That may be the only way any of us will ever be free.”

Even J.K. Rowling has failed.

In her commencement address to the graduating class at Harvard University this year, J.K. Rowling, discussed her views of failure. So why do I talk about the benefits of failure? Simply because failure meant a stripping away of the inessential. I stopped pretending to myself that I was anything other than what I was, and began to direct all my energy into finishing the only work that mattered to me. Had I really succeeded at anything else, I might never have found the determination to succeed in the one arena I believed I truly belonged. I was set free, because my greatest fear had already been realized.

Some failure in life is inevitable. It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all — in which case, you fail by default.

Failure gave me an inner security that I had never attained by passing examinations. Failure taught me things about myself that I could have learned no other way. I discovered that I had a strong will, and more discipline than I had suspected; I also found out that I had friends whose value was truly above rubies.

A little failure is good for you In my senior year of medical school I failed my Emergency Room rotation! I told my brother of my shameful defeat, and he asked, “You never failed anything in school before, did you?”

“No!” I replied.

“It was probably good for you,” he said.

As it turned out, it was! I was failed because I had walked out on what I considered at the time to be an abusive instructor. I already had a doctoral degree before staring med school, so I was not your typical student who would do whatever the teacher said.

I apologized to the head of the ER, as “It’s easier to be forgiven than get permission,” has long been a favorite saying of mine, but he wisely told me that I needed to redo the rotation. He did go on to say that I would be assigned to the ER when he was there, and that he understood my being a little older than the typical student, as was also his case in school, and that he would get me through it! Since I was doing it twice, I got to know all the personnel much better, was assigned the advanced cases, and in the end, ER was one of my favorite rotations. I learned much more by doing it again!

I remember reading about a very famous failure. This man had a musical career that failed! He had an acting career that failed! He had marriages to several of the most beautiful women of his time, and all of his marriages failed! When asked about his life of failures, he replied. “I may have had a lot of failures, but I had more fun with my failures than most people have with their successes!”

So, what is failure really? Is it what you make of it or how you define it or how you may choose to rename it? Anyone want to share some personal stories??? What is failure to you or is failure not part of your vocabulary?

If you care to check out another read on the failure word, check out Roy's post, Failure is an Option.

Monday August 23, 2010



Hi all. I wanted to first thank you for all your kind comments yesterday... you guys are the best! I had a fun time with my Spain friend & if the pics come out decent, I will post at a later date. So, on to my post for today.

Well, I know a couple of sites have posted about this ACE study BUT I had already had it set & ready to go for today so I am keeping it! I know we all don't get to every site out there so for those that this is a repeat, you can move on, comment & move on OR whatever your heart desires! I wanted to share it again since so many of you are interested in OR have bought some of these toning shoes.

The above graphic is one of a few from a

“We tested RPE, which is basically how hard one is working, and oxygen consumption, how much oxygen you take in versus being at rest, and caloric expenditure and we found no significant difference between any of the shoes,” says researcher Stephanie Tepper, M.S. “So the toning shoes definitely don’t do more than the regular running shoe.”

As for the muscle-activity testing, the results were strikingly similar. There was no significant difference in EMG levels in any of the muscles tested between the four types of shoes (Figures 1–6). “Looking at the EMG data, we saw nothing there as well,” says Porcari. “There were some subtle differences—sometimes they favored the regular running shoe and other times they favored the toning shoes—but it was nothing statistically significant.”

Do you feel different when you’re wearing these shoes? Of course you do because you’re walking on probably an inch worth of cushioning,” explains Porcari. “They feel different, and that’s why when people first wear them they’re probably going to be sore because you’re using different muscles. But if you wear any sort of abnormal shoes that you’re not used to wearing, your muscles are going to get sore. Is that going to translate into toning your butt, hamstrings and calves? Nope. Your body is just going to get used to it.”

Bryant isn’t surprised by the findings: “When you think about it, it’s kind of the same old song and dance,” he says. “People will still fall prey in their search for the quick-and-easy fitness solution. These shoes are just another attempt to find that magic bullet.”

Bryant says he’s also concerned that extended wear of these toning shoes may alter the walking gait mechanics of wearers and, in some cases, potentially cause problems for those who may already be at risk for lower-extremity issues. But to evaluate that will require another longer-term study. And although the toning shoes don’t deliver on their advertised claims, Porcari mentions there may be potential that these shoes could improve wearer’s balance over time, but that too will require a long-term training study.

In the meantime, Bryant is reaching for the silver lining.

“These shoes may be encouraging a fair number of people who probably wouldn’t put on a normal pair of walking shoes and go out and walk, to do so because they think they’re getting some super toning effect,” says Bryant. “So if you want to look at a positive, it’s probably serving as a bit of a motivator to get a group of inactive individuals to at least get up and get moving.”  

And, no matter how you spin it, that’s a good thing.

From Jody: It is a mixed bag of results so please give it a read. At least it gives you more to think about & evaluate before you spend $100 - $200 plus on a pair of these shoes.

Me, I do my hardcore workouts & rely on that. If I had extra money, I MIGHT invest in a pair just for my casual walking days BUT NOT BECAUSE I thought they would be a replacement for my current workouts. It might just be a curiosity thing. I am glad people are walking more with these but it does not replace good & healthy eating, weight resistance training & some higher intensity cardio session that really torch the fat. Do what you feel best for you but arm yourself with facts.

Do you have a pair of these toning shoes? What do you think? Have they made a difference? Inquiring minds want to know!

Also, I read over at The Great Fitness Experiment a post on toning shoes & Charlotte has tried one of the shoes above. Check it out.

A real man is a woman's best friend.
He will never stand her up and never let her down.

He will reassure her when she feels insecure and comfort her after a bad day.

He will inspire her to do things she never thought she could do; to live without fear and forget regret.
He will enable her to express her deepest emotions and give in to her most intimate desires.
He will make sure she always feels as though she's the most beautiful

woman in the room and will enable her to be the most confident,

sexy, seductive, and invincible.

No wait......... sorry... I'm thinking of wine.

Never mind.

Sorry guys but it was too funny not to share. I know some of you resemble the stuff above the punch line.

Hope you enjoyed. Have a great day!!!!

Blueberry Coconut Oatmeal Bites
1/2 c Oats

3/4 c H20

2 tbsp Sugar-Free Coconut Syrup

1/2 tsp Baking Powder

Stevia to taste

Cinnamon to taste

1/3 c fresh Blueberries

Mix everything together. Let sit for 5 minutes. Pour into muffin tins and bake at 350 F for 35 min.

Per Alyson at Nourished Fitness: This was pretty good! I love baked goods with Blueberries, even though I actually don’t like the texture of Blueberries alone. Any who.. after taking the above picture, I drizzled it with a bit of Unsweetened Almond Breeze.. that made even better.

Speaking of easy to make & change to your own taste, eat at home or take with you & kids will like it too, Joanna over at Fitness and Spice shared a recipe for homemade energy bars Friday. See them below. Check out the previous link for the recipe & some of Joanna's words of wisdom!



Anyone want to share their fav easy & easy to go recipe???? Enjoy!


For those that have not heard this yet:380M eggs recalled after salmonella outbreak  and check out the FDA Website and HERE.

Thank you once again to Steve & Dr. J! Check out my post from yesterday if you missed it. An eye opener!!!

Thursday August 19, 2010

How many of us know people OR have our own family members that do not learn from "the lesson"? Family members or friends either get sick or pass away from obesity or bad habit related diseases. Instead of learning, they stay on their own path to destruction no matter what life lesson is thrown at them.

I have seen this first hand. I have a family member that continues to "kill himself" with alcohol & cigarettes even though we have lost family members to these problems.

Steve, at Log My Loss, is living this right now. I asked Steve to write a few words for me & I am telling you, if this does not hit home for some of you out there, I don't know what will!! Please read below from Steve & forward to anyone you know that needs to read this!

This week I am out of town at a conference.  There is a gentleman here who I see very rarely, and he was surprised when he saw me last night.  You see, he hasn't seen me in some time, and I am quite a bit smaller than I was the last time we were around each other.  I have also had several people comment about me not eating dessert at lunch, or foregoing the bread with our meals.  One lady commented that I had "some really strong will power."  All this conversation has opened some doors to talk about my weight-loss journey with others this week, in particular, my "why".

Again, we need to take a hard look at those life lessons & LEARN! Steve knows that all too well. 

 Dr. J too! Take a read at his guest post below AND by the way, Dr. J is up & running at CalorieLab & very fast now! YAHOO!

Lessons to learn, wisdom to earn:

Several years ago my life was a social train wreck! At the time I had a new friend who was beginning a successful career as a psychological therapist. We are still the best of friends. I asked him, “Why didn’t you tell me what I was doing to my life back then?”

“If I had, you never would have listened,” was his reply.

“Maybe not, but at least someone would have told me!”

Perhaps like the lonely tree falling in the forest, his advice would not have been heard. Maybe what I really needed was that tree to fall on me!

Learning lesions:

Sometimes it seems that initially a leaf may fall on you. If that is ignored, then a branch may try to get our attention. That failing, the tree may be on its way!

The world has a way of teaching, or at least offering us the opportunity to learn lessons. If we don’t pay attention to the messages that we are hearing, the volume often gets louder, and the lessons get more numerous and possibly more severe. This is not due to some master’s plan, but simply to the natural function of how we repeat behaviors, both good and bad until we refine our actions. That’s the way we learned not to pick up hot objects as a child, and the way we often have to learn many other scalding lessons.

I’ve seen this story play out too many times with obesity and its many negative physical and psychosocial effects.

I was reading a good post about strategies for weight loss & it was discussing "the most effective way of preventing weight gain after a diet is to tackle the problems that caused it."

When I read this sentence, this is what came to my mind & was my comment:

"The best way to not have probs going from the "diet" back to real life is to never go on a diet. It is a lifestyle change & a way of eating for life. I think along with all of the above, that is where people get caught up. You have to stop defining it as a diet. It is a change in your lifestyle."

To me, anyone that says they are going on a "diet" is basically saying to themselves that I am going "on something to lose weight" and then at some point I will go off it - like I am done & now I can just go like before. And people do. They start eating a little of this or that without accountability for how much it is or even how many extra "things" they are putting in their mouth each day. They tell themselves it is OK ease up a bit.. and it is... as long as you are AWARE of what is going in that mouth each day vs. how much energy you expend physically each day. People are really good at fooling themselves OR lying to themselves OR just hiding from the reality of the facts.

PEOPLE NEED TO SEE THIS AS A LIFESTYLE CHANGE - A WAY TO CHANGE YOUR BEHAVIORS FOR LIFE. Even if like me, things change along the way, it is all about figuring out what works long term.

The article also talked about sabotage from loved ones, friends, co-workers & more. This is what I had to say about that:

"And for that sabotage, I hate to say it but if they are outside the house, you may just have to tell them the way it is & if they don't like it, not see them for a while. In the house, lay it on them.. support me or else!"

Sabotage is hard stuff but you are what is important right now so make your stand even if it means not seeing a good friend that will not support your weight loss efforts.

When I am out, I see heavier people together many times, eating together. I don't say this to be mean because I have lived this before.... it is easier to be with someone that wants to eat like you & is not a threat.

Avoid or banish the sabotage. Change the focus on dieting to lifestyle changes. Both of these will help you move forward & closer to your goals.

Let me know what you think... either way!

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

I have to share an amazing story with you that started with this comment to my blog on my Out of the Comfort Zone post:

"well, I did it lol pushed way out of the comfort zone and rode my first 100 mile century ride for habitat for humanity on Sunday. I did it and it was a blast!!! raised almost 1000 $ for a worthy charity met some great cyclists , reached an amazing goal, took myself to a whole new level!! would I do it again??? you betcha lol next yr it’s the 375 ride around the park!!!"

I have done quite a few out of the comfort zone posts & many of you remember my Kickboxing experience that was way out of my comfort zone. I have also written endlessly about not giving up & how we can do so much more than we think we can & especially as we age. One post in particular was this one, Do You Hold Onto Your Dreams and here is another one, What Should I Do with the Rest of My Life.

Well, Meet Cat. Those are her pics above. Here is how she describes herself:

I am  a soon to be 48 yr old woman living in Winnipeg MB Canada.  My friends just call me Cat. I don’t have a blog, just write on facebook. I have 3 daughters and two stepdaughters. I also have 8 grandkids from the 3-almost 11 with another due next month :0).

I guess bottom line is my grandkids motivated me to change… that and the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. I was in a wheel chair for a few weeks stuck inside my house because of my knees. When I had them replaced I could walk but  had to use a cane and at 300 pounds I still had a lot of pain and a tough time walking.

A lot has changed for me since losing the weight. When I was @ 300 pounds I had high blood pressure, 205/110 and on meds. I had really bad depression and on meds, sleep apnea on meds and a machine to breathe at night. I never did have to go on meds for the diabetes but that scared the crap out of me and I started the changes that very day! I got tired of all the doctors /professionals telling me what I could or couldn't do any more.

Now my blood pressure (BP) averages 115/65, my weight  stays around 152-155, no diabetes and just 1 med for sleeping. Even though I work out like a crazy woman, I still have sleep issues  & probably always will. They can’t find the answer to that one but that’s ok lol.

My outlook on life has changed. I’m  not the same person I was 3 yrs ago inside and out. Sure I still have life stresses, who doesn't. But now with all the exercise and healthy eating, I can handle it, life is good even during the rough stuff.

There are no excuses not to eat healthy and exercise . Believe me I have lived  the excuses that are out there . Been there done that aint going back. My new motto is don't tell Cat what she can't do cause she's going to prove you wrong!

Please enjoy this guest post from Cat who did amazing things & never gave up!

I pretty much started my journey in 2008, I was 7 months post op with my second knee replacement , I had high blood pressure, was 300 pounds and was sitting across  from my doctor  as she was telling me I was  also a type 2 diabetic

I had had enough, was tired of living to die. So I had to make a choice. I have 8 grandchildren with another on the way, and they deserved to have a healthy fit grandma so I changed  to eating clean joined the gym (shapes.ca) found the most amazing trainer Cindy (I call her my muse :0)  ) and went to work.

I trained 3 days a week with Cindy and I worked hard. When I started, I had nothing so far as muscle. I was still walking with a cane. I  was also on morphine and Percocet for pain. I would take a morphine get on the treadmill, work out with Cindy, take another pill, go home pass out and go back the next day and do it all over again.

After a yr I was back to work and I rediscovered my bike! I was hooked. I rode my bike back and forth every day to work as much as 50 km a day. I still went to the gym every day. The weights are my friends, lol. I love lifting heavy. OK, from Jody: I must interrupt to say I love those last couple sentences!!!

The opportunity presented itself last year. I saw an ad in my gym for a habitat cycling ride. You could do a family ride of 25 km, a 60 km ride, 100 km (62 miles) ride or 100 mile ride. Habitat is a worthy charity so I thought, why not. I went out , got my pledges and I rode my first metric century ride! I made it and again I was hooked.

This year I decided to do the 100 mile (162km) century ride, decided to go past my comfort zone and max myself out. My husband thought I was crazy, but I have a little boy, my grandson I call mouse. He calls me his hero and tells me I must really love him because I got fit and healthy. So, I pushed and on Sunday August 8 2010, I did the 100 mile ride for habitat. It was very hot and during parts of the ride I struggled, but I never gave up. It took me about 7 hours to ride, but it was so worth it….watching all of the faces waiting for me at the end, the grandkids.
 
Next year I plan on doing a 375 km ride around the lake for habitat and the following year my goal is to ride the 2 week 1700 km just in time for my 50th birthday :0)

I have learned a lot in the past 2 years. Most of all your are never too old to get fit and healthy, it’s never too late to make changes.

For  the next week I am resting but come Monday I will be back at the gym training again. I have a 10 km breast cancer run that I want to do in October in memory of my cousin Tika who past away from breast cancer. Oh did I forget to mention, I can run now too.
 
PS: I have sent along a couple of pics. 2 are from the ride, 1 is where I was at 300 pounds and the other is roughly where I am right now approx 152 pounds. Still have some work to do lol but there is a hell of a lot of muscle in there :0)

OK, who is going to use age as an excuse! We can do amazing things! What is your amazing story? If you want me to feature it here, please send me an email at jody@truth2beingfit.com. Would love to share more stories like this!!!

To step away, to see with different eyes. 

Perhaps that’s it.  To see “you” in a whole new light.  To connect to something deeper, something more meaningful.

What is it that really draws us to visit new places, or to return to that place…that place of special meaning?  There is a world out there to see, to experience, to know.  And yet, within all that…

…there is another journey…

The journey into that deep and magnificent chasm of “you”. 

A world to explore.  A world right within your own being. 

On Fields Pond.

"A lake is the landscape's most beautiful and expressive feature.  It is Earth's eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature." ~ Henry David Thoreau

I live today, not to seek wealth by common means.  I live today, in the wealth of experiences, of moments, of love, of being.

Wednesday, July 21.  Stillness.  A settled fog upon the pond.  Morning sun, rising in the east.  A loon calls from deep within the fog.  An eagle soars overhead. 

And this is right and good.  The pond and I.

It calls my name.  With kayak, I travel into the pond, into that fog.

And stop. 

I let that all envelop me.  The beauty of this day, this place, these creatures, nature, our world.

That call of the loon.  How is it possible?

The flight of that eagle.  What gives her wings?

The fish that swim.  The fog that lifts.  The plants that grow.  The frogs that croak.  The water that moves.  The moon that sets.  The sun that rises.

All of this, a cohesive one.  A one with each other…together….

All of this, entering my soul as I sit there, stilled, within that fog-covered pond.

We are one…connected at our soul.

And still, we are each so unique and truly amazing.  Like that loon, or the lifting fog.

Do I see this every day?

No, not the lifting fog. 

Do I really see the unique and incredible being I am…not just on July 21…every day.

Do you?

Do you see that in you?  How amazingly incredible you are!  YOU!  Flowing from your being, this special thing that makes you shine… (because you really do!)

Oh…maybe you don’t always see that.  It’s so easy to let the distractions of life overshadow the amazing within you.  It’s there, though.  In each of us.  In every creature, great and small. 

Today, choose to believe…believe in you…

Shine brightly…and live…

And as I reflect back, I'm drawn to that loon…on a still and peaceful daybreak…

…on Fields Pond…

Have a great day!!!!!!!! Thx Lance!!!!!!!!

Cucumber Recipe:  
1. Slice cucumbers approx. 1/4" thick and fill a container, any container with cucumbers.  
2. Add a couple of slices of onion for flavor.  
3. The ratio is 1 to 1 1/2 C sugar to 1 C vinegar, 1 T salt, 1 t. celery and mustard seed.
4. Add sugar, salt celery seed and mustard seed to the cucumbers.  
5. Heat white vinegar almost until boiling--but not boiling.  
6. Pour vinegar over cucumbers.  
7. Add boiling water to cover cucumbers if needed (no more water than 1/2 the vinegar already used.  If more is needed, more of the vinegar/sugar mixture is required).  
8.  Let cool, then refrigerate and marinate for several hours.

Next Step: ENJOY!!

I also ran into a short article on these Senor Juan's Hot & Spicy Pickles. Steve, this is for you!Here is a link to more about them.
 
.


And last, remember my post that talked about all the benefits of kale? Well, check out Tami's post all about KALE & how to cook it! Lots of you had questions on that AND she makes a smoothie with it too! Check out the link to that smoothie at the end Tami's post.

Anybody else have a pickle or cucumber recipe they want to share? How about kale?

“The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that our aim is too low and we make it.”

Before I start, what do you think of this quote? Yes? No? I think there is a lot to think about in those few words & that we should aim high. Don't we all talk about challenging ourselves on our blogs???!!!

I think I have used this quote in the past but it popped up over at GirlGetStrong last week &  it inspired a post! The GGS post is by a young guy named Craig. The points below were part of what he had to say about 11 steps to creating powerful goals. You may agree with all had had to say or portions of what he had to say BUT I did like the few I put below from his article.

1. Write out an extensive goal list in forms of affirmations – 3 things affirmations need to be: 1. They must be personal “I will”, “I am”. 2. They must be written in present tense as if you have already completed the goal and you believe you already have. 3. The goals must be positive – “I will lose 2 stones (28 pounds) by my birthday and I will be very happy”
2. Read your affirmation goal list at least twice a day.
3. Read your goals with faith – Act as if you’ve already completed them and see images of yourself with the goals achieved.
 
As you read your affirmations, mentally visualize them as already achieved, since the brain cannot tell if the event is real or visualized.

Honestly, I have not been a good goal setter outside the fitness area. Yes, in my fitness & health life, I do/did set out to accomplish certain things and I HAVE! I also do a lot of visualization in the gym & when I work out.

In real life, I definitely have accomplished things but I did not set out certain goals like above to get there. I wanted & thought about them. Some I did & some I did not do. I think that has more to do with that fear of failure that permeates my real life more than my fitness life. I also get caught up in the expectations of other people & myself when I tell other people. I had a lot of probs with trying to meet others expectations when I was younger so that is one thing I have not overcome yet.

I know many of you set goals in your life both personally & professionally. Many of you make image boards. What can you pass on to us, the readers AND WRITER about what has & has not worked for you in terms of goal setting. What do you do now to make sure you go after your goals?

Tuesday August 10, 2010



Before I start, wanted to say that yesterday, the second part of my interview over at Sensei Talks posted. You can view it HERE!

I am guessing that many of you out there take some sort of vitamins & vitamin supplements. Maybe you just take a multi-vitamin. In my bodybuilding years, I took a lot more SAFE & over the counter stuff that quite honestly, when I stopped, made no difference. Yes, some did make a difference but since I am not trying to get big, I don't worry too much about it.

But the day to day stuff that us ordinary people, , take, yes, I still take a couple things but not near as much as when I was younger.

Due to my age & lactose intolerance, I do take a calcium/magnesium supplement. "A recently-published study in the

about a study that found no benefit from a multi vitamin. Now the article does point out from an industry Vitamin Trade group that many people do not eat right & "many of them aren’t getting essential nutrients in their diets." In this case, a multi may help. The study itself points out the benefits just from eating more fruits & vegetables & whole foods & save themselves some money BUT we know many do not so that. BUT, just so you know: " Both the American Cancer Society and the American Institute for Cancer Research emphasize that getting cancer-fighting nutrients from foods like nuts, fruits, and green leafy vegetables is vastly superior to getting them from supplements. Eating a healthy diet is best."

As always, do not stop or start taking anything without your doctor approval, especially if you have specific health issues!

All this leads me to my tag team post with Dr. J!!!!! Love my Dr. J! The CalorieLab site is still down so he is here!

One A Day

I guess back in the day they had one or two choices for you to get your vitamins. Well, maybe this was mom’s choice, but she did have another one for us. I remember those earlier vitamin delights. I pretty much looked like Lucy when I forced it down every morning under mom’s watchful and approving gaze. It didn’t take long for the food and drug industry to see the green in this product, and the competition was on for our vitamin dollar.

I Love Lucy Vitameatavegamin commercial

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5lr94Vmtvc&feature=player_embedded

A vitamin is defined as an organic compound which may or may not be synthesized by the organism, which is required by the organism as a nutrient in tiny amounts to survive. Thirteen vitamins have been identified.

I noticed a commercial for One A Day vitamins, oneaday.com/products.html and I believe they are one of the most, if not the most popular vitamin. Did you know that they offer 17 specialty types of vitamin products? That is four more than the 13 officially recognized number of vitamins!

Very Creative Marketing

If you look at the ingredients in each of these products, they are quite similar with minor variations to account for the creative names from the companies marketing department, including, Woman’s Active Metabolism, Woman’s Active Mind and Body, and Men’s Pro Edge, for example. In all there are six women’s formulas, three men’s formulas, four unisex, two teen and two for children. I’m sure the teen and children’s areas are vastly under supplied and expect that to be corrected very soon.

Are vitamins necessary? Absolutely! Are vitamin supplements necessary? Perhaps, but certainly not as an everyday need.

A few years ago I read the book, “Stop Aging Now.” The title not withstanding, it’s a pretty good book on how to be healthy and fit. In it they present the vitamin regimens of many reasonably known experts. There is a bit of variation, but for the most part, they are in agreement on taking vitamins C and E. The book was written before the current push for vitamin D, but I expect that would also be one of the top three now. In addition, many take an iron free multi with adequate levels of the B vitamins and Beta Carotene. That’s pretty close to what I take in addition to the micronutrients, chromium and occasional selenium. I do not, however, take them every day.

It would be nice if we could get all of our essential nutrients from natural food sources. My concerns with this idea is that because of the changes in our atmosphere, terrain and farming practices, as well as the vitamin destructive nature of industrial processing, I fear that our food supply does not have the levels of vitamins and other nutrients that it used to. One of the advantages of exercise is that it allows you to consume a few more calories, and if you are smart, you will use those for foods with high nutritional value.

I’d like to comment on something I’ve heard regarding water soluble vitamins. “Why take them if you just urinate them out.” Did you know that in the early days of the use of penicillin, which is water soluble and excreted in the urine because of the scarcity of the antibiotic — not that I’m trying to give the vitamin companies any ideas — they collected the patients’ urine, withdrew the penicillin and gave it to them again? Between your mouth and the formation of pee, vitamin C, for example, is used for many functions by our bodies.

Is there anything wrong with vitamins? Absolutely not! Is there anything wrong with vitamin supplements? Yes, there can be.

ConsumerLab.com used independent laboratories to test 21 different brands of multivitamins. Only 10 met the claims that the manufacture made on the label or did not have other problems with meeting quality standards. Of the 11 that failed the testing, some had excessive levels of lead or other containments. Some had quantities of vitamins that were only half that on the label, and probably worse, some had levels twice that stated on the label. In a fat soluble vitamin such as A, especially in a children’s product, with every day dosing, it is possible to reach toxic levels.

I feel that supplemental vitamins do have a place in our diet. Pre-natal use, and for the individual who has been on a very poor diet, are prime examples where they have an indication. However, in most situations, my recommendation is to be judicial in their use. Research the brands you choose to buy, and if possible, get as much of your vitamin needs filled from a healthy, nutritious diet, and use supplements, as the term implies, in a supportive role.

THANK YOU Dr. J!

Would love to hear all your thoughts on supplements, what you do/don't take & what you take that you think is vital to you.. if you want to share.

Here is another interesting article when you have time to read it: Danger Lurking in Some Dietary Supplements? Consumer Reports ID's ‘Dirty Dozen’ of ‘Dangerous’ Ingredients; Industry Takes Issue With Report

I know, lots of links & a long one but I think worth the read.

Monday August 9, 2010

picture credit

Quick Update: The second part of my interview over at Sensei Talks posted this morn. You can view it HERE!

Quite a while back, I recorded a repeat of a Rachael Ray (RR) show. She was doing one of her 

"Are you worried that dangerous germs could be lurking in your bathroom, your kitchen ... even in places you don't know about? You might not be able to escape them, but that doesn't stop people from trying. Americans spend more than a billion dollars a year trying to get rid of germs, but as Dr. Keri Peterson points out, not every germ is bad for you. "There's a perception that we have to eliminate all of them in our environment," she says. "There are only four classes of germs: bacteria, viruses, fungus and protozoa, and it's the bacteria and the viruses that can cause illness, so this is really what we're looking to sanitize." Rachael has three viewers test products that claim to reduce the number of bacteria and viruses in your home."

PER  THE LAB TESTING & as detailed on the Rachael Ray show, ALL ITEMS BELOW REMOVED 100% OF THE BACTERIA!!!!!!!!!!!

• Gaby, 39, works in a medical office where she's always handling paperwork, pens and money back and forth with patients. "I'm most concerned about germs on the phone," she says. "I'm constantly wiping down the area just to keep it free from germs. It would be wonderful if I could have some proof to show me that the germs are gone." So Gaby tests the Germ Guardian UV-C Sanitizer Wand that claims to kill up to 99 percent of the bacteria and viruses with just a wave of the wand. Per their website: "LW18 UV-C Sanitizer Wand by Germ Guardian - Simply pass the Sanitizer Wand over surfaces to kill up to 99% of bacteria and viruses. Also fights odors and allergens like mold spores. Chemical-free sanitizing is ideal for – pillows, bedding, toys, cell phones, computer equipment, toilets, showers, sinks, countertops and even shoes."

• "As a mother, germs are a huge concern for me," expresses Ginger, 35. "They're everywhere." This mom's front door opens right into her kitchen, where she worries about germs the most: "Even when I get my countertop to shine, I still wonder what kinds of germs are still there or if it's really clean." So Ginger tries the Lotus Sanitizing System, which claims to sanitize homes naturally without the use of any chemicals.

• Mike, 26, shares his bathroom with two male roommates. "You can imagine how hard it is to keep it clean!" he jokes. "My toothbrush is more susceptible to germs because it's right next to the sink and exposed to everything." So Mike tries the Zapi Toothbrush Sanitizer, which claims to instantly sanitize your toothbrush using UV light. Per their website, "Zapi uses germicidal ultraviolet light to kill 99.9% of germs on your toothbrush in just minutes. Zapi comes in two hot new colors, purple and pink, plus white, blue, and orange to match your personal style. All of them come with a free toothbrush, but they also work with your favorite manual brush or electric head. Simply insert your favorite toothbrush, press the button, and Zapi goes to work, turning off automatically. Your toothbrush is germ free and safely stored inside Zapi ready for the next time you brush.

Again, check it out at the RRR website link above.

Now for the gym. Be forewarned that I am providing a link to a segment on The Today Show about infections you can catch in the gym if you don't do your due diligence wiping down equipment, mats & more before & after your workout!!!! It is very graphic BUT IMPORTANT TO WATCH FOR YOUR OWN SAKE!!!!

WATCH IT HERE.

Me, I bring a smaller Inperspire towel for my face (actually 2)  and a larger towel for the floor, benches & machines. I wipe down everything I use both before & after using it. I never use a gym mat unless I put a towel on it. My sis got a bad infection from using a public mat way back when so watch that video! I also use towels that either have graphics like above OR a tag on it (you know, the tag that tells you how to clean it) so that I know which side hits me & which side hits the gym. Obviously the graphic towels are easy. With my larger towel, the side with the tag always hits the gym stuff. In addition, I bring my own hand sanitizer & I always wash my hands before leaving the gym so I don't take crap with me to the car.

Be safe & please watch the video!

What do you do at home & in the gym to stay safe from germs. I know we can't do everything but we can do our best. Pass on your advice & suggestions!

PS: For those commenting on over use of antibiotics & getting resistant to them, yes, there has been news & medical stories about this. I am lucky enough to have been sick very little in my life & have taken antibiotics so few times in my almost 53 years.... knock on wood! And I don't shower at the gym & never have. I always make sure I have time to shower at home. I know many can't do that so just take precautions.