I read somewhere that Americans have become unhealthier statistically because of the recession. WTF??

You don't need money to exercise! I'm going to try and show that you can get in to shape without spending money - use your environment creatively and you can succeed in attaining better health. My dad is a retired coach and P.E. teacher, and much to his chagrin I've been a lazy ass my whole life. Maybe I can finally put his knowledge to good use, as well as shape up and make him proud!

If you have a creative idea to share be sure to let me know ! I'll post the best photos/videos/links here.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Eat like a bird

I have a bad life-long habit of waiting until I'm starving before I eat.  Then I of course gourge myself.  This is pretty typical of the busy American lifestyle.  Whenever I look back at my life and think about times when I've been overweight, its usually also a really hectic, stressful time.  I love 'comfort food'.  Duh.  Its 'comforting'.  When you are down you turn to things that bring you joy.  No mystery there.  Or when things are hectic, you go for the quick-and-easy drive-thru.  All really bad for you it turns out.
Try and eat small portions throughout the day.  Get away from the 'three squares' mentality, and really just eat when you are hungry.  Also remember it takes like 20 minutes for your mind to get the 'full' signals from your stomach - so eat slowly and set out a rational, healthy portion before you start.  I joke that everything is a 'single-serving', because like a bag of potato chips or whatever, will just get eaten in its entirety if I don't show some discipline.  Its because you can still be munching away well after you are 'full', but just have not got the signal yet from your stomach. 
Another trick is to manipulate your brain's 'full math'.  Over time your brain has established a number of 'swallows' that it calculates for 'full'.  Try drinking a few glasses of water before your meal - taking small, multiple gulps.  This helps load up your 'swallow count', and will trick your brain in to feeling full sooner.  Not to mention that water is good for you and also physically fills your stomach.  Better if it is warm - so start with a warm green tea if you really want to be all granola and healthy.  Hey, 'thinking is not cheating' as my trigonometry teacher used to say.  Whatever it takes!

Monday, May 2, 2011

Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?



My current environment is fairly hazardous - attacking dogs, cayotes, bobcats, deer, burros, stink bugs, scorpions, giant spiders and rattle snakes make cross-country activities unnerving. The reptiles hibernate during the winter, and I've scouted out 'dog free' routes to run and bicycle on, so last few months have gone well. Springtime has brought out the reptiles in force, however, so I'll be doing more indoors and in the water. Sorry. Just not that adventurous....

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Water Jug Workout

I remember as a kid reading some article in Boys Life or other Boy Scouting literature about tips and tricks for exercising around the house.  Little things like crumpling up all of the newspaper in to tight paper wads I still remember.  It also spoke about using water jugs as free weights.  The idea must still hold merit, as this months Dirt Rider magazine has a page spread about using a water jug in exercise routines!!  Well I finally had a chance to create my own version - filling milk jugs with concrete!  Water weighs 8.3 lbs a gallon, and my concrete jugs measure in about six pounds heavier.  Plus I don't have to worry about them exploding water all over (I am terribly clumsy / unlucky).  So I have added these ghetto-weights to my daily regimine.  Making the concrete versions was super messy, so maybe a simple water jug is the better 'laymans' thing to do.