In this episode of A Mind For Fitness, I review Jimmy Moore’s book, Keto Clarity. Hope you enjoy.
In this episode of A Mind For Fitness, I review Jimmy Moore’s book, Keto Clarity. Hope you enjoy.
At the beginning of February, I decided to workout for at least 1/2 hour a day six days a week. I was (and still am) simply tired to working on this last 10 pounds of stubborn belly fat. A week or so ago, I blogged about the 21 Day Fix by Beach Body I got in the mail. That was part of my February goal to workout every day! I mentioned in that blog that I would keep you all updated. So have I lost any weight?
The answer is yes. However, while I am losing a little weight in the belly, I have also lost weight in a very strange place. “Where?” you may ask. In my feet! This is the first time I have lost fat off of my feet.
Interesting Story
I had to buy new shoes for work. And I where a size 12. I have always worn a size 12 since I was an adult. In fact, I have never worn anything other than a size 12 in my entire adult life. So logically, I tried on a size 12. It was lose around my heal and over the top of my foot. I tried tightening the laces but that was no help. “Must be a faulty pair of shoes,” I thought to myself while picking out another pair of size 12. But the same thing happened with this pair. Then another pair.
Finally, it occurred to me that I must no longer be a size 12. I tried on a size 11, and they fit perfectly. Then I tried on another pair of 11s just to make sure it was not a fluke. They also fit perfectly. The only conclusion I could possibly come to was that I must have lost weight in my feet.
I struggled with believing I had lost weight in my feet because I have never had that happen to me before. Also, it is not anything I hear people talking about. When someone loses weight, they often talk about their paints, shirt, and belt. But I have never heard anyone say, “Dude, I’m down a shoe size! High five!”
I guess, however, it is logical. I have seen some fat feet in my day. I must have shed some feet fat!
Closing
Shedding any excess fat is good. While I would like to see more come off of my belly, I am happy to have it off of my feet. If anyone else out there can identify or have a similar story, please share it in the comments.
In this episode, Ean gives three powerful steps to take your diet to a lifestyle.
Admittedly, this dinner is more of a maintenance meal. By that I mean it is a meal that is low-carb and Paleo ( that is Paleo depending on who you ask). It is a high fat diet that can be made with all organic ingredients. That said, it does contain some fruit and some veggies that are higher in carbs than others. However, there are no starches or carbs form refined or artificial sources.
It starts with making a hamburger. But this hamburger is going to be kicked up a notch or two by adding these supper tasty toppings.
These toppings start by sauteing onions and bacon. Once those are mostly done, then add to the pan red peppers and mushrooms. Once it is all done, melt your favorite cheese over the top and place on your hamburger. Or you can have it as a side-dish
Now for the fruit salad. In this salad, I have blackberries, pineapple, 1/2 of an apple, strawberries, and one mandarin orange. But use whatever fruit you like. What makes this dish special is that I have added crushed pecans and a generous amount of cinnamon. This will take any fruit salad to the next level!
If you try these recipes, or better yet, if you change these recipes in your own unique way, let me know how it turned out. And please do not forget to share this blog on your favorite social media.
Many people fail to lose weight because they simply will not take personal responsibility for their obesity. I do not speak to this issue as an outsider, but as one who use to blame my excess weight one everything and everyone other than myself; so there is not judgment in this assessment. However, the assessment still stands: Many people are overweight because they will not take responsibility for their obesity.
Of course, I remember the excuses I made for my weight. But since I have become a weight-loss coach, I have more clearly taken note of these excuses when I hear them from others. Here are two that I hear most often:
It Was The Way I Was Raised
It’s doubtful that any of us were raised in a home where we were fed a low -carbohydrate, natural source, ketogenic diet. Most of us were raised to believe that a healthy diet consisted of low fat and lots grains. To complicate things, many of us were raised with a dysfunctional relationship with food.
This was true in my upbringing. Food meant excitement! This was particularly true of bad food. I was raided by a single mother and (most) every night we went out to eat. So for me, bad food was adventurous. As a result, I have had to overcome a tight neuro-association between bad food and feelings of adventure and excitement.
Others have been raised with food as a source of comfort. If you are feeling bad, eat something sweet and you will feel better.
Still for others, food was used as reward. You were good, you get something sweet; you were bad, you missed dessert.
I’m Genetically Predisposed to Be Fat
Another excuse is to blame genetics. Some will blame their obesity on the fact that they are big boned, or they have a slow metabolism, or that obesity runes in their family.
Again, these are excuses I have used. As I have said before (either in this blog or in my podcasts), I have a body that easily puts on weight. I do not have a V shaped body, nor am I a bean-poll. My body is very round when out of shape and very square when I am in shape. Whether it is my metabolism or some other factor, I have to fight to stay fit.
Getting Beyond The Excuses
It may be true that you had an upbringing in which you developed a bad relationship with food. It may also be true that you have a genetic profile that makes easily gain weight. However, these are not good excuses.
In order to get to a healthy weight, one must take responsibility for the choices they make. Overcome your excesses and realize that you are the one who decides what you eat and whether or not you exercise is you.
A Mind For Fitness Podcast. In This episode, I talk about how to draw upon your past, present and future in order to make a decision for your health. I also talk about taking responsibility for your health. Please share on your favorite social media!
A new episode of a Mind For Fitness Podcast is now available. In this episode, Ean discusses if it is best to get off of sugar by going cold turkey, or by decreasing gradually.
I was 21 years old when I first put on my wedding ring. It fit perfectly. it was not too tight nor too loose.
However, many years later (at the age of 37) I had to take off my ring. It was a sad day. My fingers wear so bloated that it was causing me pain. I had to face the truth, I was too fat to wear it. I reluctantly took it off and kept it in a box next to my bed.
But then came a happy day. Two and a half years later, I had lost enough weight to put my ring back on my finger. Not only was I happy, but my wife was happy too.
But now, I have to take my ring back off again. Not because I am too big, but because the ring is too big! I realized this when my ring slid off my finger while in the grocery store. I dove for it like it was the one ring to rule them all. I slipped back on my finger and noticed that my knuckle was barely big enough to keep it on.
What this means is that I am now skinnier than I was when I got married! I do not bring this up to brag, but I would be lying if I said I was not pleased to report it. However, I do mention this because it is a reminder that all my sacrifices and hard work is, in fact, paying off. I am very close to my weight-loss goals and want to encourage all of you to stay the course.
The ring will not stay off forever. I will get it re-sized. But it is nice that I have to get it taken in and not expanded.
Stay strong, my readers, and never give up!
A new episode of A Mind For Fitness is now here. In this episode, Ean gives the top five reasons why your low-carb diet may not be working.
I love sugar. In fact, some might consider me a recovering sugar addict. While I have overcome my addiction though mental effort and proper diet, I still have quite a sweet tooth.
Was I Really An Addict?
I’m not really sure I could classify myself as an “addict.” However, I did eat a lot of sugar. This consumption was particularly pronounced during my teenage and young adult years. While I do not know how much sugar I consumed on a daily basis, I have an interesting story from my past that will help illustrate just how much sugar I would use.
I think I was about thirteen years of age at the time. During this period of my life, I would often have two bowls of cereal for breakfast. One bowl would be a sugar cereal. Some thing like Captain Crunch or Cinnamon Toast Crunch. The other bowl would be a “non”-sugar choice. Something like Wheaties or Cheerios. I would add sugar to these latter choices because I just could stand the taste of them with just milk.
One morning I decided to eat the “non”-sugar cereal first. And of course I added my regular amount of sugar to the bowl. I ate the cereal and drank the milk. I was ready for my second bowl. It would be the sweet cereal this time. I did not need to add sugar because they were sweet enough on their own.
Upon taking my first bite, I realized that the milk was rotten! I had eaten an entire bowl of cereal and sour milk without even realizing it. How could I have not noticed? I had added so much sugar to my cereal that it covered the taste of rotten milk! That is a lot of sugar.
In a Better Place
Reflecting back on how much sugar I use to eat makes me appreciate how much healthier I am now. I still love the taste of sweet things. But now my cravings are under control and the future is looking good. I never want to go back to being a sugar addict.