BellyMonster Blog

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Yesterday, Labor Day, was my first day back on my health track. Here’s the report:

Intake:

I got all my water in easily.

Food intake was within my caloric range, balanced and filling.

Generally felt ok, but the first day or two is a little tough for me.

Exercise:

Work remains to be done here. Hurricane came through and that was all the excuse I needed. Exercise will be the big challenge for me.

Now it’s off to day two. I’ll be teaching at the University from 8:30 until 9:30 (13 hours later) and so I will have to be careful of the vending machines. Let’s see how it goes!

I think I have hinted here that this blog will be a record of my n^th attempt at weightloss. I’m hoping that the strategy of being accountable to you, the readers, will help me.

This morning I found Avy Barnes post, Write Your Way to Faster Weight Loss. I enjoyed the post and hope you will too.

I’ve been a big bread eater all of my life. I never cared for anything but white bread and despised the idea of wheat or other whole grain bread. Every now and then I would opt for sandwich on pumpernickel bread but those days were few and far between.

A year ago I discovered two things. First, the importance of fiber in my diet, and two, Nature’s Own Double Fiber Wheat Bread. I have become a great aficionado of this particular variety of bread and enjoy it almost daily. Here’s the per slice rundown:

• 50 calories (2 slices = 1 WeightWatchers point
• 5 grams of fiber
• 7 grams of whole grain
• 0 trans fat, 0 cholesterol
• 135 mg sodium
• 3 grams of protein
• 15 mg of EPA and 10 mg of DHA (Omega-3)

Now the subjective. Double Fiber Wheat is a medium dark loaf bread with some grainy particles scattered across the outside. Because these particles are not found inside the loaf we assume they are added for looks.

The bread has a rich, chewy texture which resembles any other wheat bread except for its richness. The taste is quite good and makes fine toast or a sandwich.

The real success of this product lies in the fiber boost which makes it incredibly filling. For me, the saity produced by the bread is worth its weight in gold. You already know how important fiber is to your diet so here’s a way to get a good start.

This is one product I am very pleased to recommend to our readers.

I found a post at Conquorweightloss.com which was posted from bodybuilding.com. This girl was determined to do what she had to do to loose the weight.

Here’s the comment that spoke loudest to me:

If I could give 110% and reach my goals at home or at work without letting anything get in my way, why couldn’t I do the same when it came to my health? The honest answer was easy: I chose not to. That simple realization made me feel in control of my weight for the first time and I knew that I was finally ready to make the commitment.”

You need to read her story. She made incremental changes throughout a year and lost 100 pounds! What a story!

I’m up 1.5 pounds from last Monday and up 16 from my low in April. 16 pounds! Worse is the feeling that I am completely out of control.

What I Am Going To Do?

• Increase my water to 12 8 ounces glasses daily. I have 2 at this point.
• Record my foods on the Weight Watchers website. I have some success with their program before.
• Post here how I’ve done each day.

What Can You Do?

• I’ll take encouragement anywhere I can get it - leave a comment.
• Offer your success stories here, in comments, or offer links back to your blog.
• Send me a no calorie taco from Taco Casa in Tuscaloosa, Alabama (ok, ok, but they are good).

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has lifted it’s recommendation that consumers avoid eating jalapeno and serrano peppers. In July an FDA recommendation regarding tomatoes was lifted.

This is good news for consumers who enjoy the round red fruits and the spicy hot peppers.

Peppers can go a long way toward pumping up foods and making a healthy diet more interesting. We all know that dieting becomes difficult because we grow board with the food choices. With virtually no caloric load peppers can be used to really improve our eating plans. Oddly enough, both jalapeno and serrano’s are high in anti-inflammatory effects. It’s strange because if you eat one you’ll find plenty of oral inflammation!

I have observed that health is a goal of mine. Likely that’s true of you too or you wouldn’t be reading this. I came across a sobering article at the NutritionData blog which I think you will profit from. It got my attention and I think it will get yours too.

By the way, nutritiondata.com is a great website full of information. Check it out.

Let’s try and start some discussion here. What motivates you to become fit? Is it a positive pursuit or a fear of consequences? I’ll start.

I want to be fit for both positive and negative reasons.

The Positive

I want to be fit for my family. Three sons who need to be out camping, fishing, playing ball and being kids with their dad. Unfortunantly, Dad can’t get around the block without being out of breath.

I want to be fit for my sons because they need my example to prepare them for the future. At this rate, my days are numbered if I don’t take immediate action.

I want to be fit for my wife. She married me so we could grow old together. She’s fantastic but I’m not sure how she would do if I were gone.

I want to be fit because I want to feel better and have energy to get things done. I want to face each day with a vigor I haven’t known in years.

I want to be fit because I want to take care of the body God has blessed me with. No long term diseases yet. I need to be a good steward of my health.

The Negative

I want to be fit because I’m not ready to die. Don’t misunderstand - I am spiritually ready to die but I have much left to do.

I want to be fit because I’m not ready to be crippled. I took my mom to the doctor recently. As I sat in the waiting room I saw numerous under-50 people who were grossly overweight and suffering varying kinds of illness. Most had trouble walking from back, hip, leg and feet problems.

I want to be fit because I’m tired of being embarrased when out with friends and a short walk is in order. I’m the one huffing and puffing. They’re so good to offer to stop for a second but that’s really shameful on my part.

I want to be fit because I am tired of people looking at me and thinking that I am fat - which I am.

I want to be fit because I want to be comfortable in my own clothes. I want to buy my clothes off the rack or from the regular catalog. I’m tired of the Big and Tall department.

Those are my reasons. What about you?

How can you get all that water in in just one day? If I’m supposed to drink upwards of 64 ounces a day, how do I do it? It sounds like so much!

Actually, we’re only talking about 8 glasses a day - it just sounds like a lot. But it could be that you are struggling to get you water in every day so here are 5 tricks to help you reach your goal.

1. Develop a Taste for Water

I don’t know anyone who liked the taste of beer the first time they drank it. In fact I’ve always wondered why anyone drinks it but that’s another story. People who drink beer developed a taste for and people who need water can also develop a taste. At first you may need to add a touch of lemon or even some additive like the Country Time packets. Whatever you need to do, do it.

It’s true that not all water is created equally. Municipal water systems may produce clean water but it doesn’t always taste the same. You may find that a water filter is good investment but be sure and try it out at a friends home before sinking a wad of cash into one.

Bottled water is also an option and their are varieties there too. Some products, like Aquafina or Dasani are manufactered by taking municipal water and filtering it. Other products like Deer Park and Poland Spring are taken from underground streams or, in some cases, glacial water or deep sea freshwater springs. Because these may have varying amounts of minerals the taste is often different. Make your choice and enjoy the benefits.

2. Drink Early, Drink Often

The old rule in Chicago politics was to vote early and vote often. The same rule applies with your water intake. Before you eat a bite, drink a full 8 ounces of water. When you take your morning medicines, chase them with a full glass of water.

I like to keep a bottle of water with me in the car as I drive to the office. My commute is short, about 20 minutes, but I try to drink it all by the time I get to the office. I repeat the process on the way home. Of course, there was that time I drank all my water and then got stuck in traffic, but that’s another story!

Don’t try and get all you water in at once but keep your water nearby.

3. Plan Your Drinking - Kind Of

I’m not too good at rigid planning, but you need some idea of when you will drink your water. If our goal is 8 glasses we can break it down like this.

• 1 glass when you first wake up
• 1 glass when you take your morning meds or vitamins and brush your teeth
• 1 glass on  the way to work
• 1 glass sipped during the morning
• 1 glass at lunch
• 1 glass sipped during the afternoon
• 1 glass at dinner
• 1 glass before bed.

That way, your intake is spread out through the day and you’ll never feel like you’re drowning.

4. Wallet, Cell Phone, Keys, Water

It’s much easier to get your daily water requirements if you keep your water with you. A bottle should always be your hand. Hang on to it when driving or commuting, keep it at your desk or in your backpack. If at home always keep cold water nearby or at least in your fridge.

If you will treat your water like your car keys you will never be far. Remember the old saying “out of sight, out of mind” is very true.

If you want to get your water in, keep it nearby. As I sit here and type I have a bottle of water right beside the keyboard. It’s a reminder to me of my goal of drinking water. Make your bottle like your best friend. Don’t leave home without it!

5. Pour It, Suck It. Whatever Works

Some people have difficulty with adequate hydration because they just do not like the taste of pure water. Some have found that drinking through a straw makes water more palatable. So, buy some straws and keep them handy.

Others have sensitive teeth and struggle with anything very cold. That’s fine too. Go for room temperature water. When you are very hot you may find that water is better lukewarm.

Water is good for you so drink up! No calories, no sugars, no caffeine, no additives. Water is the perfect drink.

Cheers!