Dear Diary

July 30, 2009

Dear Diary

I got up early enough to go for a run, and I ended up running almost the whole 4km.  I usually only do about 2 or 3km so I was impressed that I did the 4km.  I guess it paid off taking a 1.5 week break (I did do one run during the “break”).  I ate well, although I got to eat more than just protein bars during the day!

Breakfast: the usual, omega 3 capsule

Snack: The Zone bar

Pre-workout: The Zone bar

Post-workout: The Zone bar (yep, no lunch, gotta remedy that next week)

Snack: blueberries, chocolate milk

Dinner: ???

New insights for causes of Anorexia

New imaging technology provides insight into abnormalities in the brain circuitry of patients with anorexia nervosa (usually known as anorexia) that may contribute to the puzzling symptoms found in people with the eating disorder. In a review paper published on line in Nature Reviews Neuroscience, Walter Kaye, MD, professor of psychiatry and director of the Eating Disorders Program at the University of California, San Diego, and his colleagues…Read more

To lose weight fast, eat meat

Atkins diet works faster initially than low-fat diet, and may improve blood fat levels, say new studies

OBESITY rates are rising, but science has barely weighed in on the best way for people to shed fat. That state of affairs is starting to change, and doctors are getting a surprise or two.

ATKINS DIET: What’s in it THE Atkins diet promotes protein-rich foods such as meat, eggs and cheese over traditional diet basics like pasta, bread and vegetables.

Last month, the popular carbohydrate-slashing Atkins diet received a dollop of endorsement from two studies after years of being pooh-poohed by health specialists.

The studies, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, showed that the meat- and fat-rich regimen caused faster weight loss in the short term than a conventional low-fat diet.

More importantly – because many had feared that the diet, even if slimming, might unfavourably affect cholesterol levels and be bad for the heart – the low-carbohydrate regimen also seemed to improve the dieters’ blood fat profiles.

But Atkins, like every other diet, is no miraculous fat-melter.

The longer of the two studies suggested that a low-carb regimen might be harder to maintain beyond six months, compared with a low-fat approach. By the end of the year, the low-fat dieters had caught up and lost the same – very modest – amount of heft.

In addition, although on average people on low-carb diets did not experience increases in their so-called ‘bad’ (or LDL) cholesterol levels, about 30 per cent of them did.

Even with these caveats, ‘we can no longer dismiss very-low-carbohydrate diets’, said Dr Walter Willett, a nutritional epidemiologist at the Harvard School of Public Health, in a written editorial accompanying the papers.

To maximise the diets’ healthfulness, he added, people should avoid going wild on fatty bacon and red meat, and should opt instead to eat healthy oils (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats) and get protein from fish, beans, nuts and chicken.

The weight-loss regimen popularised by the late Dr Robert Atkins – rich in meat, eggs and cheese but almost bereft of grains, potatoes and fruit – is highly popular but had not been tested in a scientifically rigorous way until last year, when two studies reported that very obese and moderately obese people lost more weight initially on the Atkins diet than on a conventional diet.

The studies published last month bolster and extend these findings.

Conducted at the Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Centre, the first study enrolled 132 severely obese adults with an average weight of 130kg. Many of those in the study had diabetes or other risk factors for coronary artery disease.

Roughly half of them were put on a low-fat diet and told to eat 500 fewer calories a day.

The others followed a regimen in which they were to limit their carbohydrate intake to less than 30g daily, but were not told to count calories or fat.

The scientists reported last year that at six months, the low-carb group had lost an average of 5.8kg, compared with 1.8kg for the low-fat group.

Last month, the scientists reported that after one year, individuals on the Atkins-style diet largely kept the weight off but did not continue to lose more weight.

The low-fat group continued to lose weight slowly over the course of the year.

Total weight loss for both groups over the year was slight: 4.9kg to 8.6kg for the low-carb group, and 3.1kg to 8.6kg for the low-fat group.

The study also found that diabetic patients improved control over their blood sugar levels using the low-carb approach.

The second investigation was funded by the Robert C. Atkins Foundation, although the foundation did not take part in the study or its analysis.

Conducted at Duke University Medical Centre in Durham, North Carolina, it enrolled 120 moderately obese adults who had high-blood cholesterol levels.

At six months, participants who followed a low-carb approach had lost an average of 11.7kg, compared with 6.3kg for the low-fat group.

Weight loss was not the only effect of these diets. Both studies found that levels of triglycerides – blood fats that are risk factors for heart disease – fell further in the low-carb group than in the low-fat group. Levels of HDL, or ‘good’, cholesterol also seemed to improve more in the low-carb group.

Still, experts said more studies were needed to ensure that the HDL lipid change was favourable and that the higher amounts of fat consumed on an Atkins-style diet would not increase a dieter’s risk of heart disease.

The American Heart Association issued a statement expressing concern about the safety of the diet given its richness in saturated fats.

To be safe, people on an Atkins-style diet should have their blood lipids monitored regularly in case their ‘bad’ cholesterol goes up, said Dr William Yancy, assistant professor of medicine at Duke and lead author of the study there.

Steve - The Surfer

i ran with cam & mel yesterday by my mom’s house because i have taken refuge there. we started out early as the summer heat is getting too hot to run later in the day. from my mom’s house, it’s about a mile to the beach. we ran without lola and it was a nice change. cam took the lead followed by mel and i was the last of the three. i am happy to be running with these young strong girls. they always inspire me to workout harder. we got to the beach and had agreed to run another 10 minutes before we would head back. cam was running hard and i had decided to stop off at a bench to watch the ocean, do some meditation and wait for the girls to return. i was happy to run about 3 miles that day. i think the girls wanted to run more so decided to wait for them to return when they were ready.

sitting there above a high cliff and looking down below, i could see people on the beach with their dogs. it’s doggie beach. lots of happy dogs frolicking everywhere. it made me smile to see them playing. i thought of my 2 golden retrievers who have since passed onto to doggie heaven. i was breathing in and breathing out and listening to the ocean and the wind.  i was so grateful to enjoy that very moment and taking in all the sensations of the sun, the warmth, the wind, and the smell with my eyes closed. suddenly, i heard someone ask me, “aren’t you suppose to be running or something?” i was startled and opened my eyes. there stood an older man in his late 50’s or early 60’s with swim trunks, flip flops and a heavily weathered tanned body. i smiled and told him i was taking a break and waiting for my young running mates to return.

he introduced himself as steve and proceeded to interview me as a potential dating candidate. he wanted to know where i live, which part of town, how long i had lived there, what i did for a living…..then of course, my age. i told him that men should never ask a woman her age. he laughed nervously and said that i should just tell him then slap him afterwards. i replied that i don’t make it a habit of slapping men. without getting much info out of me, steve then told me he surfs regularly in this spot in the early mornings, he’s a grade school history teacher with the summer off. he works 180 days per year with every holiday off, the summer off and looking forward to a nice retirement soon. he was a nice enough guy but i had little interest other than a pleasant conversation.

meanwhile, cam & mel came back to get me. i introduced them to steve and he was making small talk to the girls, when i noticed a women jogging by with a very nice jogging stroller. i was eyeing the stroller when steve asked if i had a baby. i was happy to share with him that i have a 13.5 month old baby girl. steve chuckled in what seemed like embarassment or nervousness and made a funny remark that my husband must be watching the baby so that i could go running. cam, mel and i just laughed openly and explained nothing.

why is it that people, strangers and anyone should make judgements on others? a friend of mine wrote on her facebook wall today something that i would like to share….

“When You judge another, you DO NOT define them, you define YOURSELF!”

it is not a reflection of me but a reflection of him when steve spoke. cam, mel and i bid our good-byes to steve and ran home secretly laughing at how funny his comment was.

i don’t take offense to my encounter with steve, the surfer. i think it’s kind of funny how people are so quick to judge and make assumptions of others.

until next time, smiles……GIGI

7 Ways to Alkalise and Energise for Life

Do you want to lose weight and create an abundance of energy and vitality?

Do you wake up tired every morning?

Are you always tired? Are you overweight? Do you suffer from low energy? Are you constantly catching colds, flu and allergies and feeling run down?

Are you fed up trying to lose weight?

Have you given up on achieving the body you’ve always dreamed of?

Alkalising and living an alkaline lifestyle will make you feel more alive, more vibrant and full of energy (and you’ll lose weight along the way). You will have the ability to feel totally renewed and full of energy, you will radiate good health and you can get rid of most of your nagging health problems.

We live in a time where so many things compete for our attention that often our health ends up last on the priority list. Yet we forget that nothing else matters without our health. We forget that if we don’t make time for our health now, we will have to make time for illness in the future. Studies show that an over-acidic body leads to weight gain, fatigue, accelerated ageing, poor digestion, aches and pains, foggy thinking.  Every day acids like caffeine, sugar, whites, vinegar, nicotine, meat, dairy, alcohol and prescription drugs not only are all highly addictive but also rob us of our nutrients and leave us feeling lethargic and lacking in energy.

When you wake up tired wishing you could have another couple of hours in bed and think you won’t come to life until your first or second cup of coffee or tea, you are probably acidic. If you wind down at the end of a stressful day with a couple of glasses of wine or you suffer from the afternoon slump where you think only a cup of tea and a chocolate biscuit will bring you back to life, you are probably over acidic.  

It’s a safe bet that you are overly acidic – the simple fact is, most people are.

When we reach for the quick fix of caffeine, sugar, nicotine or any of the highly addictive acids, the  glucose levels in our body rise, and the pancreas reacts by releasing an excessive amount of insulin into the body. The sugar is rapidly burned, producing a surge of energy. The blood sugar then falls below the normal level producing some unpleasant symptoms such as headaches, unnecessary hunger, fatigue and like any other drug, the craving for more. Hence the highs and lows throughout the day.

High insulin levels inhibit the release of growth hormones which in turn depresses the immune system. High insulin levels also make our bodies feel hungry and result in increased fat cell storage.  Caffeine stimulates the adrenal glands to produce adrenaline and cortisone – hormones your body depends on to elevate the heart rate, increase respiration and blood pressure. Eventually the adrenal glands become exhausted and stop responding, leaving you more vulnerable to health hazards.

A highly acidic diet promotes over-acidification of the blood and tissues which is conducive to the growth of virus, bacteria, yeast and fungus – the great decomposer of cells and tissues in the human body.

It’s time to reset your priorities and experience the incredible vitality and energy that come from balancing your body’s biochemistry through alkalising.

So what do you have to do to feel incredible?

How do you transform your life and take things to the next level?

Some very small changes in your daily habits could bring about huge changes in your health, your energy levels and ultimately the quality of your life. Give yourself the opportunity to live the life you deserve. Be blessed with the health and energy that is rightfully yours.

Here are our Top 7 Ways to Alkalise and Energise for Life

1. Hydrate your body – Drink at least 2 litres of water per day (more if you’re exercising) We lose on average 2 litres a day while we’re talking, sleeping, eating, breathing and sweating. The effects of mild dehydration include decreased coordination and fatigue. A carefully hydrated body produces colourless urine.  Some side effects of dehydration include stress, headaches, weight gain, allergies, high blood pressure and Alzheimers. Keep it simple: add fresh lemon, lime or cucumber to your water daily. Most of the time when we think we are hungry, we are thirsty. A dry mouth is the last outward sign of dehydration.
2. Eliminate or reduce caffeine  – this is found in coffee, tea, cocoa (that includes chocolate!) and soft drinks. Try dandelion coffee as a substitute which supports and detoxes your liver or chamomile tea which is caffeine free.
3. Eliminate or reduce sugar: processed or refined sugar is very acidic and increases glucose levels in the body causing them to rise rapidly. Try alternative snacks such as a handful of nuts which are full of protein and essential oils (almonds, hazelnuts, pumpkin and sunflower seeds), avocado, celery and cucumber crudités or oatcakes.
4. Eliminate or reduce white refined carbohydrates: that includes bread, rice, pasta, potatoes, cakes (white flour). This is because these foods are all very high carbohydrate, high glycemic and spike our blood sugar. Try sweet potatoes, rice noodles, vegetable pastas, wheat free pastas, granary or seeded bread, brown basmati rice.
5. Eliminate or reduce acid addictions: 1. Vinegar, the product of decay, contains acetic acid which affects the liver in much the same way as alcohol does. Vinegar thickens the blood putting a strain on the functioning of the arteries and the heart and also interferes with the digestion of starch. 2. Alcohol – ok it doesn’t have to be forever but you do more good hitting 80% consistently than 100% and only lasting for three days. 3. Nicotine – the negative effects of nicotine abuse are well known: increased risk of heart disease, lung cancer, stroke, emphysema, hypertension, infertility to name but a few.  4. Drugs – the dangers of illegal drugs are obvious, but the potential dangers of prescription drugs are not so well publicized. 5. Avoid acid-forming foods that are devoid of life – meats, dairy products.
6. Supplement – chose natural supplements as the body absorbs these more easily; not synthetic and man-made (which tend to be cheaper) as these end up as expensive urine. Cooking and processing often reduces the nutrients we get from our food.
7. Aerobic Exercise – the more you exercise the more energy you’ll have. 30 minutes a day 3 to 5 times a week should be your base. Take the stairs, leave your car, park on the other side of the car park and walk to the door of the supermarket or cinema – don’t be lazy and fight to get parked at the door. Remember you’ll burn the same amount of calories if you walk a mile as if you run a mile. Walking, swimming, cycling, running are all great ways to get started. Once you have your base established, get a plan to take your fitness to the next level.

 

If you are overweight, you most likely do not have a fat problem, it is probable you have an acid problem. When the body produces more insulin, it stores more fat. If medication or a magic pill was the real answer to health problems, then we’d all feel as good as we wanted to feel. By alkalising your body, you’ll begin to eliminate the acids and recreate the optimum ph level which will affect every cell in your body. Get ready to say goodbye to low energy, poor digestion, excess weight, aches, pains and disease, and get ready to reclaim your health and energy.

Give yourself the opportunity to live the life you deserve. Be blessed with the health and energy that is rightfully yours.

How To Build Muscle and Burn Fat

The basic formula for an effective bodybuilding routine is consistent weight training, healthy nutrition, and lots of rest. These are the basic guidelines you need to follow if you want to build muscle mass, increase strength, and lose fat.

The most obvious benefit of a weight training program is an increase in overall body strength. But when weight lifting is done properly, the tendons and bones utilized increase in strength as well. People that regularly participate in resistance training have a lower risk of muscle and tendon injury because the body not only adapts to the stress of added weight, but flexibility and repetitive movements can allow the body to avoid injury more effectively.

Resistance training provides a total body benefit when the exercises are done properly with correct form and done on a consistent basis. Many people shy away from weight training because they think it is only for people who want to get big, but this is where a well designed plan can help you attain the physique you desire. Resistance training is for everyone, you just need to do a little research and find the proper routine for your goals.

Hoodia diet supplement

While it bears resemblance to a miracle drug, it is not too hard to see how it works. Hoodia Cactus removes your desire for food by making you feel gratified even when you have not eaten at all.. Anytime you absorb food, the levels of your blood sugar rise in your body and the cells in your mid brain, the hypothalamus, senses the increased blood glucose levels to give you a sensation of having eaten. Now what occurs when you take hoodia Gordonii plant is very similar. The chemical (molecule P57) in Hoodia plant fools your brain into thinking that you have had your fill, without even a bite really getting into your tummy. Visit the Purely Hoodia plant website for extra details and information about Hoodia diet supplement.

Clinical trials on fat people who were put on hoodia witnessed that their food intake came down by about 1000 calories a day. You can very well work out that over the long run, this reduction in the total of food consumed will have a huge outcome on body weight too.

In the last couple of years, so, the demand for hoodia Gordinii has been growing. Hoodia gordonii goods are available in the market as health supplements, but are very often counterfeit or and consist of other less desirable and unreal appetite suppressants. It is vital to ensure that the diet supplements you obtain are made from real Hoodia.

If you desire to slim down using Hoodia gordonii, go to the website link below for further information and help. You will also be able to purchase Hoodia on line from real and reliable sources.

Click here for extra information about Hoodia diet supplement and to place your order on the internet.

Risk free trials may be available.

Dear Diary

July 8, 2009

Dear Diary,

Finally I did not cheat!  I know there is still some hours in the day but haven’t broken down yet!  Thanks for yelling at me.  I biked to work but met a good friend for lunch so no lunchtime workout.  I did take the stairs 3 or 4 times.  Might go for a run tonight, or tomorrow morning before work.  I have to go in for 9 rather than my usual 7:30 (my choice), so if I’m awake might as well run!  Especially before I tire my legs out biking.

Breakfast: 2 eggs, oatmeal with wheat germ and ground flaxseed, blueberries, lemon water, coffee

Snack: roast beef, potatoe (I know, snack? But I was hungry)

Lunch: chicken eggplant veggie stirfry over white rice, diet pepsi

Snack: cherries

Dinner: roast beef, potatoes, blueberries, 2 glasses of choc milk 2%

Hoodia for weight loss

Despite the fact that it resembles a amazing drug, it is not too difficult to figure out how it functions. Hoodia gordonii gets rid of your want for food by making you feel full even when you have not eaten at all.. Anytime you take in food, the levels of your blood glucose increase in your system and the cells in your mid brain, the hypothalamus, senses the raised blood sugar levels to give you a feeling of having satisfied your appetite. Now what happens when you take hoodia Gordinii is very similar. The substance (molecule P57) in Hoodia plant deceives your brain into thinking that you have had your fill, without even a bite actually getting into your tummy. Visit the Purely Hoodia gordonii website for further details and information about Hoodia for weight loss.

Scientific tests on overweight people who were put on hoodia Cactus witnessed that their food intake came down by about 1 thousand calories per day. You can very well work out that over the long run, this reduction in the measure of food eaten will have a big effect on body weight as well.

In the last few years, therefore, the demand for hoodia Gordonii cactus plant has been increasing. Hoodia plant stuff are available in the market as herbal diet pills, but are very often fake or and consist of other less desirable and pseudo appetite suppressants. It is important to confirm that the tablets you obtain are manufactured from real Hoodia Gordonii plant.

If you want to lose body fat using Hoodia gordonii, visit the website below for additional details and help. You will also be able to order Hoodia gordonii on the net from genuine and reliable sources.

Click here for additional information about Hoodia for weight loss and to place your order over the internet.

Free trials may be obtainable.

Hybrid Workout?

I am researching a post on Megan Fox (mostly because I am fascinated with her face/hair) and came across this term “hybrid workout”.

When you increase the intensity of the aerobic activity you do,  the energy used from carbs increases and the energy used from fat stores decreases.  When you do interval training you burn more calories (short bursts of high intensity followed by less intensity periods).  Hybird workouts combine both – intervals of body weight exercises with low intensity cardio.  This is supposed to burn fat. 

I haven’t found that many articles talking about hybrid workouts so if anyone has found something contradictory pass it along please.

I find this idea interesting…do I already do Hybrid Workouts because I can go for 30min on the treadmill/elliptical?  The one author says that if someone is doing HIIT (high intensity interval training) they shouldn’t be able to do it longer than 20min!

References:

http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/steady-state-and-interval-training-part-1.html

http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/steady-state-and-interval-training-part-1.html