Monday, May 23, 2011
Getting Old
I notice as days go by that things have definitely changed. I cannot drink all night and pop up like a freshly watered perky daisy. I cannot workout and NOT feel my knees and shoulders screaming at me for the extra torture. I cannot give a care for silly nonsense that used to mean a lot more a few years ago. I let people vent and not roll my eyes. I stop and take a good look at things I used to fly by. I know that things are always changing, but I never imagined that I could change as well. I still feel like I am the same person I was 20 years ago..... how is it that now I am in my mid 30's? Where does time go? I know that the older generations are slowly leaving us and that, to me, is the biggest loss we can experience. I know that I wish I would have asked more questions and learned more from my great grandparents. They have been gone for a while now, 20 years almost. I still have one set of grandparents and every time I see them I enjoy just letting them tell me about their past...it just never is enough. A whole lifetime of different experiences gone with the person. I wish we all kept journals or some kind of diary that logged eventful days, experiences or anything that is significant. I guess I am a little nostalgic when I hear of a family loss. I know we are not going to be around forever....
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Dead Terrorist
I know that it is wrong to be happy after the news of a death, but I believe that this is absolutely justifiable. I am not a violent person or applaud anything of this nature. I truly agree with the comments that this world will be a better place without this monster. I have no personal friend or family loss in the twin towers tragedies; but to ME, it should be taken as a personal attack to every single citizen of this country. Any attack to us is an attack to our children and loved ones. I know that peace on earth would be ideal - but come on....that is never going to happen with people that have no limits and no conscience about anyone. Terrorist suck. Glad that the most wanted man in the world is gone. Bin Laden totally created sadness and chaos in and to our country. Now to make sure that nobody else can get to us like he did....
I thank each and every person serving our country for keeping us safe. Eric my cousin is on the top of my list. I have the utmost respect for him. :-)
Eldahg
I thank each and every person serving our country for keeping us safe. Eric my cousin is on the top of my list. I have the utmost respect for him. :-)
Eldahg
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Gardening Bliss
I am sure I have said that I love to garden. Since I have lived in the apartment - I have been feeling left our because I don't the huge back yard to dig and play in. I decided to get over myself and buy pots and dig in. Hee hee...so now I have the greenest balcony in the complex! I have started to grow peppers, tomatoes, peas, and onions. I also attempted cilantro - but that one never grows right; I will figure it out one day....All my plants look amazing and I will share pictures with you when I get home. :-)
Eldahg
Eldahg
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Weights....
I have 44 days left for the wedding day and this means I have a flight to LA the day before. YIKES!!
I have been following a crazy low carb diet and stayed on track for the most part.... I just need to up the workouts. I know that working out "too" much is bad - but I mean use different techniques or just stop doing what I can and push my limits to make it to the next level.
At bootcamp on Tuesday, I met a girl (Kristy) and she made me want her body. I mean she has a slamming body and now that is my goal - to look like her. I had to ask her what she does and of course she said: " All I really do is lift weights". SERIOUSLY? I run myself half to death and do cardio like there is no tomorrow and the answer is in lifting weights?! Of course I already knew this, I just had not SEEN the actual results of a real person doing such. Sigh. Guess I need to learn something new and get into lifting. Wish me luck! I will start to post pictures to show progress. This will definitely make me stay on track. :)
Oh, I did start kettle bell workouts....I will post more on this later!
Eldahg
I have been following a crazy low carb diet and stayed on track for the most part.... I just need to up the workouts. I know that working out "too" much is bad - but I mean use different techniques or just stop doing what I can and push my limits to make it to the next level.
At bootcamp on Tuesday, I met a girl (Kristy) and she made me want her body. I mean she has a slamming body and now that is my goal - to look like her. I had to ask her what she does and of course she said: " All I really do is lift weights". SERIOUSLY? I run myself half to death and do cardio like there is no tomorrow and the answer is in lifting weights?! Of course I already knew this, I just had not SEEN the actual results of a real person doing such. Sigh. Guess I need to learn something new and get into lifting. Wish me luck! I will start to post pictures to show progress. This will definitely make me stay on track. :)
Oh, I did start kettle bell workouts....I will post more on this later!
Eldahg
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
Week 2
68 days left til the wedding. I am not sure if it is good news or bad news.
I spent all day Sunday in the kitchen. I made Salmon, Chicken and my sides. I had steamed broccoli and stove top squash. I am really enjoying the ready-made meals for the week.
I do need to tell you about my Saturday, aka Binge Day.
Quoting this from what the book says:
Sitting down for Thanksgiving dinner or butter cookies at Christmas?
Sounds like a binge. That, in and of itself, doesn’t need to mean horrible guilt and extra fat
rolls afterward. If you plan ahead of time and understand a little science, it’s possible to
minimize the damage. I eat whatever I want every Saturday, and I follow specific steps to
minimize fat gain during this overfeeding.
In basic terms our goal is simple: to have as much of the crap ingested either go into muscle
tissue or out of the body unabsorbed.
I do this by focusing on three principles:
PRINCIPLE #1: MINIMIZE THE RELEASE OF INSULIN, A STORAGE HORMONE.
Insulin release is minimized by blunting sharp jumps in blood sugar:
1. Ensure that your first meal of the day is not a binge meal. Make it high in protein (at least 30
grams) and insoluble fiber (legumes will handle this). The protein will decrease your appetite
for the remainder of the binge and prevent total self-destruction. The fiber will be important
later to prevent diarrhea. In total, this can be a smallish meal of 300–500 calories.
2. Consume a small quantity of fructose, fruit sugar, in grapefruit juice before the second meal,
which is the first crap meal. Even small fructose dosing has an impressive near-flat-lining effect
on blood glucose.7 I could consume this at the first meal, but I prefer to combine the naringin in
grapefruit juice with coffee, as it extends the effects of caffeine.
3. Use supplements that increase insulin sensitivity: AGG (part of PAGG) and PAGG (covered in
the next chapter). The example intake in this chapter is quite mild, so I dosed only twice. If I’m
going whole hog, I will have another PAGG dose upon waking. This reduces the amount of
insulin the pancreas releases in spite of mild or severe glucose surges. Think of it as insurance.
4. Consume citric juices, whether lime juice squeezed into water, lemon juice on food, or a
beverage like the citrus kombucha I had.
PRINCIPLE #2: INCREASE THE SPEED OF GASTRIC EMPTYING, OR HOW QUICKLY FOOD EXITS THE STOMACH.
Bingeing is a rare circumstance where I want the food (or some of it) to pass through my
gastrointestinal tract so quickly that its constituent parts aren’t absorbed well.
I accomplish this primarily through caffeine and yerba mate tea, which includes the
additional stimulants theobromine (found in dark chocolate) and theophylline (found in green
tea). I consume 100–200 milligrams of caffeine, or 16 ounces of cooled yerba mate, at the most
crap-laden meals. My favorite greens supplement, “Athletic Greens” (mentioned in the schedule)
doesn’t contain caffeine but will also help.
Does this really work? Taking the goodies from taste buds to toilet without much storage in
between?8
More than a few people have told me it’s pure science fiction.
Too much information (TMI) warning: I disagree, and for good reason. Rather than debate
meta-studies, I simply weighed my poo. Identical volumes of food on and off the protocol. On
protocol = much more poo mass (same consistency, hence the importance of fiber) = less
absorption = fewer chocolate croissants that take up residence on my abs. Simple but effective?
Perhaps. Good to leave out of first-date conversation? Definitely.
On to one of the cooler aspects of this whole craziness: GLUT-4.
PRINCIPLE #3: ENGAGE IN BRIEF MUSCULAR CONTRACTION THROUGHOUT THE BINGE.
For muscular contractions, my default options are air squats, wall presses (tricep extensions
against a wall), and chest pulls with an elastic band, as all three are portable and can be done
without causing muscle trauma that screws up training. The latter two can be performed by
anyone, even those who have difficulty walking.
But why the hell would you want to do 60–90 seconds of funny exercises a few minutes
before you eat and, ideally, again about 90 minutes afterward?
So anyway..........I did do the AGG and the grapefruit juice and the squats. But I sure did enjoy my carbs on my binge day! :-)
Morning: 27 grams protein drink....coffee with milk AND sugar.
Breakfast: Migas, potatoes, beans, waffles and iced tea. HEAVEN!
Lunch: Rosa's cheese enchiladas, rice and beans PLUS a Dr. Pepper. AAAAAAAAHHHHHH
Dinner was just some tuna with veggies and popcorn during the movie.
I felt like crap at night - but it is totally worth it. Hahahahaha!
Sunday was back to the grind. Feeling great today!
More later,
Eldahg
I spent all day Sunday in the kitchen. I made Salmon, Chicken and my sides. I had steamed broccoli and stove top squash. I am really enjoying the ready-made meals for the week.
I do need to tell you about my Saturday, aka Binge Day.
Quoting this from what the book says:
Sitting down for Thanksgiving dinner or butter cookies at Christmas?
Sounds like a binge. That, in and of itself, doesn’t need to mean horrible guilt and extra fat
rolls afterward. If you plan ahead of time and understand a little science, it’s possible to
minimize the damage. I eat whatever I want every Saturday, and I follow specific steps to
minimize fat gain during this overfeeding.
In basic terms our goal is simple: to have as much of the crap ingested either go into muscle
tissue or out of the body unabsorbed.
I do this by focusing on three principles:
PRINCIPLE #1: MINIMIZE THE RELEASE OF INSULIN, A STORAGE HORMONE.
Insulin release is minimized by blunting sharp jumps in blood sugar:
1. Ensure that your first meal of the day is not a binge meal. Make it high in protein (at least 30
grams) and insoluble fiber (legumes will handle this). The protein will decrease your appetite
for the remainder of the binge and prevent total self-destruction. The fiber will be important
later to prevent diarrhea. In total, this can be a smallish meal of 300–500 calories.
2. Consume a small quantity of fructose, fruit sugar, in grapefruit juice before the second meal,
which is the first crap meal. Even small fructose dosing has an impressive near-flat-lining effect
on blood glucose.7 I could consume this at the first meal, but I prefer to combine the naringin in
grapefruit juice with coffee, as it extends the effects of caffeine.
3. Use supplements that increase insulin sensitivity: AGG (part of PAGG) and PAGG (covered in
the next chapter). The example intake in this chapter is quite mild, so I dosed only twice. If I’m
going whole hog, I will have another PAGG dose upon waking. This reduces the amount of
insulin the pancreas releases in spite of mild or severe glucose surges. Think of it as insurance.
4. Consume citric juices, whether lime juice squeezed into water, lemon juice on food, or a
beverage like the citrus kombucha I had.
PRINCIPLE #2: INCREASE THE SPEED OF GASTRIC EMPTYING, OR HOW QUICKLY FOOD EXITS THE STOMACH.
Bingeing is a rare circumstance where I want the food (or some of it) to pass through my
gastrointestinal tract so quickly that its constituent parts aren’t absorbed well.
I accomplish this primarily through caffeine and yerba mate tea, which includes the
additional stimulants theobromine (found in dark chocolate) and theophylline (found in green
tea). I consume 100–200 milligrams of caffeine, or 16 ounces of cooled yerba mate, at the most
crap-laden meals. My favorite greens supplement, “Athletic Greens” (mentioned in the schedule)
doesn’t contain caffeine but will also help.
Does this really work? Taking the goodies from taste buds to toilet without much storage in
between?8
More than a few people have told me it’s pure science fiction.
Too much information (TMI) warning: I disagree, and for good reason. Rather than debate
meta-studies, I simply weighed my poo. Identical volumes of food on and off the protocol. On
protocol = much more poo mass (same consistency, hence the importance of fiber) = less
absorption = fewer chocolate croissants that take up residence on my abs. Simple but effective?
Perhaps. Good to leave out of first-date conversation? Definitely.
On to one of the cooler aspects of this whole craziness: GLUT-4.
PRINCIPLE #3: ENGAGE IN BRIEF MUSCULAR CONTRACTION THROUGHOUT THE BINGE.
For muscular contractions, my default options are air squats, wall presses (tricep extensions
against a wall), and chest pulls with an elastic band, as all three are portable and can be done
without causing muscle trauma that screws up training. The latter two can be performed by
anyone, even those who have difficulty walking.
But why the hell would you want to do 60–90 seconds of funny exercises a few minutes
before you eat and, ideally, again about 90 minutes afterward?
So anyway..........I did do the AGG and the grapefruit juice and the squats. But I sure did enjoy my carbs on my binge day! :-)
Morning: 27 grams protein drink....coffee with milk AND sugar.
Breakfast: Migas, potatoes, beans, waffles and iced tea. HEAVEN!
Lunch: Rosa's cheese enchiladas, rice and beans PLUS a Dr. Pepper. AAAAAAAAHHHHHH
Dinner was just some tuna with veggies and popcorn during the movie.
I felt like crap at night - but it is totally worth it. Hahahahaha!
Sunday was back to the grind. Feeling great today!
More later,
Eldahg
Thursday, March 17, 2011
The Diet
So my fabulous friend, Wanda, is getting married in May. Exactly 72 days from today - not that I am counting or anything... Why is this important? Because it is in L.A., as in California. My friend has a show on TV, she knows Hollywood people. These people I speak of are going to be at her wedding. YIKES!
I also have a coworker that has been on a super strict diet for a couple of months now, and he swears by it. I must admit that he looks fantastic. His wife also looks amazing. I had to get the information on how to make this work for me.
Step one: get the book.
I went to Amazon.com and got the 4 Hour Body by Timothy Ferriss. Said book is 594 pages long. I am dead serious. I just about fell over when I got mine. I was so relieved when i read this:
quoting from the book:
RULE #1. THINK OF THIS BOOK AS A BUFFET.
Do not read this book from start to finish.
Most people won’t need more than 150 pages to reinvent themselves. Browse the table of
contents, pick the chapters that are most relevant, and discard the rest … for now. Pick one
appearance goal and one performance goal to start.
The only mandatory sections are “Fundamentals” and “Ground Zero.”
Whew. I don't have to go hunting for my reading glasses.
Step two: find supplements.
They call them PAGG, here they are:
Policosanol: 20–25 mg
Alpha-lipoic acid: 100–300 mg (I take 300 mg with each meal, but some people experience
acid reflux symptoms with more than 100 mg)
Green tea flavanols (decaffeinated with at least 325 mg EGCG): 325 mg
Garlic extract: 200 mg
This is way harder to find than it should be...BUT, if you ask the experts at Sun Harvest - they do it for you! YAY!
Step three: shop for diet food.
DIET FOOD? Don't panic. This is the easy part. Take a look at your options:
Proteins
*Egg whites with 1–2 whole eggs for flavor (or, if organic, 2–5 whole eggs, including yolks)
*Chicken breast or thigh
*Beef (preferably grass-fed)
*Fish
*Pork
Legumes
*Lentils (also called “dal” or “daal”)
*Black beans
*Pinto beans
*Red beans
*Soybeans
Vegetables
*Spinach
*Mixed vegetables (including broccoli, cauliflower, or any other cruciferous vegetables)
*Sauerkraut, kimchee
*Asparagus
*Peas
*Broccoli
*Green beans
You get to eat as much as you like of the above food items, but you have to keep it simple.
I went to Sam's Club and got canned goods for these: green beans, asparagus, peas, black beans, and salmon. I decided to eat fish and try chicken to make it easier on me for the demand in protein. I got boneless, skinless chicken breasts (6 lbs) package, frozen salmon patties, frozen edamame, 18 count eggs (organic), fresh spinach, alfalfa sprouts, broccoli, tomatoes. I had uncooked beans and lentils at home, so I was set!
Step four: preparing the food.
I would say this is the hard part, but I love cooking! I spent all day in the kitchen preparing the meat and legumes.
My way: Being raised vegetarian, I am no expert in preparing meat - so thank you google! I ended up making my own marinade but I did learn that chicken will cook for 40 mins at 400ยบ.
Eldahg Chicken Marinade: Soy Sauce, Balsamic Vinegar, crushed pepper flakes, garlic salt, onion flakes, and pepper (fresh ground). Amounts are based on preference of flavor, so this will never be exactly the same for me... next time I am going to add some thyme and whatever other spices I come across in my spice cabinet. :)
I put the chicken (after I cleaned it and took all the fatty pieces off - yuck) in a big bowl and added the marinade, let it sit for a few minutes (about 20) lined my glass baking dish with foil, drizzled oil on bottom of it and put the chicken in there. The amount of chicken I bought was enough for two batches of these, luckliy I do own two dishes. They fit side my side in the oven - so I saved time.
The beans I put in the crock pot in the morning so they would be done in the late afternoon. i don't have measurements for these....sorry! The lentils were stove top - I put carrots, tomatoes, chopped onion, celery, salt and pepper and cooked for a few hours.
Having everything done, I divided in portions that are suitable for me. Piece of cake!
Step five: getting it done.
I actually started this diet on the 13th of March - Sunday. It is Thursday the 17th - my 5th day in. This is the schedule I have been on:
Meals are approximately four hours apart.
6:30 A.M.—AGG - Breakfast
10:30 A.M.— AGG - Lunch
2:30 P.M.—Smaller second lunch
5:00–7:00 P.M.—Something active - I do bootcamp or walking
7:00 P.M.—AGG - Dinner
8:30 A.M.—Glass of red wine every other day
9:30 P.M.—PAGG and Bedtime
I have noticed I am NEVER hungry and have unlimited amounts of energy and I am motivated to do more and am overall happier.
Wish me luck! I will blog more later!
Eldahg
I also have a coworker that has been on a super strict diet for a couple of months now, and he swears by it. I must admit that he looks fantastic. His wife also looks amazing. I had to get the information on how to make this work for me.
Step one: get the book.
I went to Amazon.com and got the 4 Hour Body by Timothy Ferriss. Said book is 594 pages long. I am dead serious. I just about fell over when I got mine. I was so relieved when i read this:
quoting from the book:
RULE #1. THINK OF THIS BOOK AS A BUFFET.
Do not read this book from start to finish.
Most people won’t need more than 150 pages to reinvent themselves. Browse the table of
contents, pick the chapters that are most relevant, and discard the rest … for now. Pick one
appearance goal and one performance goal to start.
The only mandatory sections are “Fundamentals” and “Ground Zero.”
Whew. I don't have to go hunting for my reading glasses.
Step two: find supplements.
They call them PAGG, here they are:
Policosanol: 20–25 mg
Alpha-lipoic acid: 100–300 mg (I take 300 mg with each meal, but some people experience
acid reflux symptoms with more than 100 mg)
Green tea flavanols (decaffeinated with at least 325 mg EGCG): 325 mg
Garlic extract: 200 mg
This is way harder to find than it should be...BUT, if you ask the experts at Sun Harvest - they do it for you! YAY!
Step three: shop for diet food.
DIET FOOD? Don't panic. This is the easy part. Take a look at your options:
Proteins
*Egg whites with 1–2 whole eggs for flavor (or, if organic, 2–5 whole eggs, including yolks)
*Chicken breast or thigh
*Beef (preferably grass-fed)
*Fish
*Pork
Legumes
*Lentils (also called “dal” or “daal”)
*Black beans
*Pinto beans
*Red beans
*Soybeans
Vegetables
*Spinach
*Mixed vegetables (including broccoli, cauliflower, or any other cruciferous vegetables)
*Sauerkraut, kimchee
*Asparagus
*Peas
*Broccoli
*Green beans
You get to eat as much as you like of the above food items, but you have to keep it simple.
I went to Sam's Club and got canned goods for these: green beans, asparagus, peas, black beans, and salmon. I decided to eat fish and try chicken to make it easier on me for the demand in protein. I got boneless, skinless chicken breasts (6 lbs) package, frozen salmon patties, frozen edamame, 18 count eggs (organic), fresh spinach, alfalfa sprouts, broccoli, tomatoes. I had uncooked beans and lentils at home, so I was set!
Step four: preparing the food.
I would say this is the hard part, but I love cooking! I spent all day in the kitchen preparing the meat and legumes.
My way: Being raised vegetarian, I am no expert in preparing meat - so thank you google! I ended up making my own marinade but I did learn that chicken will cook for 40 mins at 400ยบ.
Eldahg Chicken Marinade: Soy Sauce, Balsamic Vinegar, crushed pepper flakes, garlic salt, onion flakes, and pepper (fresh ground). Amounts are based on preference of flavor, so this will never be exactly the same for me... next time I am going to add some thyme and whatever other spices I come across in my spice cabinet. :)
I put the chicken (after I cleaned it and took all the fatty pieces off - yuck) in a big bowl and added the marinade, let it sit for a few minutes (about 20) lined my glass baking dish with foil, drizzled oil on bottom of it and put the chicken in there. The amount of chicken I bought was enough for two batches of these, luckliy I do own two dishes. They fit side my side in the oven - so I saved time.
The beans I put in the crock pot in the morning so they would be done in the late afternoon. i don't have measurements for these....sorry! The lentils were stove top - I put carrots, tomatoes, chopped onion, celery, salt and pepper and cooked for a few hours.
Having everything done, I divided in portions that are suitable for me. Piece of cake!
Step five: getting it done.
I actually started this diet on the 13th of March - Sunday. It is Thursday the 17th - my 5th day in. This is the schedule I have been on:
Meals are approximately four hours apart.
6:30 A.M.—AGG - Breakfast
10:30 A.M.— AGG - Lunch
2:30 P.M.—Smaller second lunch
5:00–7:00 P.M.—Something active - I do bootcamp or walking
7:00 P.M.—AGG - Dinner
8:30 A.M.—Glass of red wine every other day
9:30 P.M.—PAGG and Bedtime
I have noticed I am NEVER hungry and have unlimited amounts of energy and I am motivated to do more and am overall happier.
Wish me luck! I will blog more later!
Eldahg
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