Wha....?? Yes, I made it up.
But why? You ask.
Because I thought it would be a good idea to explain certain things.
What things? You ask.
Well, I have a short story for you about my younger years' nutrition as I was growing up in Hungary.
Since we had very limited resources, and that included food, we did not have the luxury to think healthy. Though we ate lard and fresh cow's milk, we also walked everywhere and ate other vegetables and fruits that my husbands just frowns on. For instance, I remember eating bread (with a thick crispy crust and flaky insides) topped with a half of an inch of sour cream and salted to oblivion. Yes. Gross! We also ate a lot of smoked cold cuts (since we actually butchered pigs and processed all its meat mostly by smoking it and making sausages) on bread with lots of butter. We would eat fresh tomatoes with salt, beats, radishes, cucumbers in various forms, lots of cabbage (red and green), parsnips, squashes, sunflower seed, pumpkin seeds, rutabagas, and God knows what else! All of which we went and pulled from the earth, from our very own garden. My father was proud of his fruit collection of black currants, raspberries, apples, cherries, grapes, strawberries, pears, nectarines, peaches, walnuts, and God knows what else! He was not a farmer either, a chemist by trade. It was just that if we wanted to eat those things we had to grow them because we couldn't afford to buy them and they weren't always available. I still love and eat all fruits and enjoys discovering the exotic ones I never tasted. I still eat sour kraut and cabbage, paprika and tomatoes and other veggies, however, I am not so big on lard anymore. My brother used to make a lard and ketchup sandwich that was one of his favorites. My mom used to take the egg yolk and whip it up with sugar and give it to us as dessert or a treat (when she was cooking, or when my brother used the whites to put in his hair). So yes, heart attack to google power. I wonder how the heck we survive but here is what I think happens.
Cultural and social habits influence our life and we adapt. Although we ate a lot of really bad stuff, we also worked harder, moved more and ate vegetables and fruits a lot more. Even though it wasn't quite enough to make up for the lard, for instance, our bodies have developed to process and tolerate the fats and cholesterol better and break it down more efficiently than, say, the oriental cultures. I know that the Northern Europeans have lived a much longer and healthier life and it is mostly due to their Omega 3 and 6 high diets but they are also lacking passion and spice, such as the Hungarian population is blessed with. Ok, this part was for humor. But in all seriousness, I am quiet sure that our genetic make up is largely influenced by our cultural roots and one should not ignore such things when analyzing nutrition and what will or won't work for a certain person. I think nutrition is highly individualized and should not be treated as an umbrella program but rather a personal analysis that goes way deeper than "what are your triggers and bad snacks?" Everyone's vice is different and one great diet plan or nutritional advice may not work at all for another person, which is why we should look into where our habits come from and how we grew up. I can now see the contrast between my and my husband's make up who is from another corner of the world and grew up with a completely different bad nutrition. (Sugar, grains, sweets, and meats, not a lot of fruits and veggies but also lots and lots of running and sports, that would kill an average American kid).
With that in mind, I just want to tell all frustrated dieters to be honest with yourself and know why you do the things that are bad for you, and then you can craft a plan to intercept those habits.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Exercisers must know
"Why can I not loose weight? I've been training with you for months, not a lb loss!"
and
"I can eat what I want now that I am working out again!"
Exercisers, read this and weep:
The USUAL factors which are part of the big picture of weight management and weight loss are as follow: 1) sleep, 2) hydration, 3) hormone levels, 4) cardio vascular activity, 5) weight training and 6) nutrition.
These are not in hierarchical order, just what came to mind first. If I had to, I would struggle with putting % rates on their individual importance, but I do know this. People are generally not honest with themselves. The questions one must ask before "blaming" the trainer are such as: "Am I getting adequate sleep on a regular basis?" and "Do I keep myself hydrated throughout the day consistently?" and "Have I had my hormones/thyroids checked and my levels where they should be?" and "Do I do any HIGH INTENSITY cardio training at least 3 times a week consistently (sweat your a... off)?" and "Do I move some weights or am I still in the single digits and never get my heart rate up, never get light headed, never get sore, when weight training (in other words, is the intensity of your weight training high enough)?", and lastly, my favorite "Do I eat slightly less amount of calories with a balanced ratio of carbs and proteins than I need, to maintain my weight (newsflash: negative calorie intake = weight loss)?"
Let's recap the negative result when these conditions are not met and your trainer is struggling to beat some common sense into your pretty head.
If your sleep is lagging your digestive system is not functioning optimally, your cortisol levels may rise and interfere with everything you do (though this blaming the cortisol is a little too played out in my opinion, it might matter for you).
If you are not hydrated properly, your digestive system is not functioning optimally (all chemical processes need water, that is one reason, I think, our bodies are 66% H2O), and your get headaches, muscle cramps and get weak and tired.
If estrogen is having a party in your bod'dy, then you are screwed. You will retain water, and won't loose those darn pounds and put on muscle no matter what you do. Check into it.
Thyroids (though also too played out) lso play a role in your metabolism.
Cardio!!!!!!!!!!!!! Everyone thinks that ANYTHING qualifies for cardio!!! HELLLLLLLL NO!
I would say, that of the average gym goers, 80% has never done actual cardio, other than the social kind, or pass the time kind. Ask me about this, and it's not about running, you can do great cardio on any piece of equipment, but you have to DO IT.
Weight training - kind of the same. Women, you must must must pick up some weights. Like a spare tire. I talked about this a lot too, if you don't believe me, google it (LOL). AND it has to be consistent, at least 3 times a week!
Nutri-shion........ everyone is eating so well nowadays. But too much of it. No clue about portions, or nutrient content. Calories in, calories out. You eat some bread, a bagel, a piece of biscotti, a cookie, a cup of ice cream, and your cardio workout has given you -200 calories (if that), but you think you can eat more, and more junk, because you are "doing" your cardio. Big mistake! And when the session is over you rush out of the gym instead of jumping on something and doing a 15-20 interval workout, to optimise your already invested work. 15 minutes, people!!!
And I am NOT the source of your failure, nor is anyone else, but YOU!
Some of my favorite comments:
"Running is making my legs bigger" (whaaaa...?)
"I was good today, I skipped my desert for dinner" (as is a part of every meal, I'm sure)
"I walk my dog" (he's not the one eating M&Ms and his legs are a fraction of the length of yours)
"If I even as much as look at weights I get bulky" (cause you don't use them and give time to let the fat go and the muscles build)
and "I have been working with you for months, how come I haven't lost any weight?"
Need I answer that, dear "denial"? How come I haven't GAINED any weight? I have been working with me for years!!!!!!!!!
aaaaaaaargh!
and
"I can eat what I want now that I am working out again!"
Exercisers, read this and weep:
The USUAL factors which are part of the big picture of weight management and weight loss are as follow: 1) sleep, 2) hydration, 3) hormone levels, 4) cardio vascular activity, 5) weight training and 6) nutrition.
These are not in hierarchical order, just what came to mind first. If I had to, I would struggle with putting % rates on their individual importance, but I do know this. People are generally not honest with themselves. The questions one must ask before "blaming" the trainer are such as: "Am I getting adequate sleep on a regular basis?" and "Do I keep myself hydrated throughout the day consistently?" and "Have I had my hormones/thyroids checked and my levels where they should be?" and "Do I do any HIGH INTENSITY cardio training at least 3 times a week consistently (sweat your a... off)?" and "Do I move some weights or am I still in the single digits and never get my heart rate up, never get light headed, never get sore, when weight training (in other words, is the intensity of your weight training high enough)?", and lastly, my favorite "Do I eat slightly less amount of calories with a balanced ratio of carbs and proteins than I need, to maintain my weight (newsflash: negative calorie intake = weight loss)?"
Let's recap the negative result when these conditions are not met and your trainer is struggling to beat some common sense into your pretty head.
If your sleep is lagging your digestive system is not functioning optimally, your cortisol levels may rise and interfere with everything you do (though this blaming the cortisol is a little too played out in my opinion, it might matter for you).
If you are not hydrated properly, your digestive system is not functioning optimally (all chemical processes need water, that is one reason, I think, our bodies are 66% H2O), and your get headaches, muscle cramps and get weak and tired.
If estrogen is having a party in your bod'dy, then you are screwed. You will retain water, and won't loose those darn pounds and put on muscle no matter what you do. Check into it.
Thyroids (though also too played out) lso play a role in your metabolism.
Cardio!!!!!!!!!!!!! Everyone thinks that ANYTHING qualifies for cardio!!! HELLLLLLLL NO!
I would say, that of the average gym goers, 80% has never done actual cardio, other than the social kind, or pass the time kind. Ask me about this, and it's not about running, you can do great cardio on any piece of equipment, but you have to DO IT.
Weight training - kind of the same. Women, you must must must pick up some weights. Like a spare tire. I talked about this a lot too, if you don't believe me, google it (LOL). AND it has to be consistent, at least 3 times a week!
Nutri-shion........ everyone is eating so well nowadays. But too much of it. No clue about portions, or nutrient content. Calories in, calories out. You eat some bread, a bagel, a piece of biscotti, a cookie, a cup of ice cream, and your cardio workout has given you -200 calories (if that), but you think you can eat more, and more junk, because you are "doing" your cardio. Big mistake! And when the session is over you rush out of the gym instead of jumping on something and doing a 15-20 interval workout, to optimise your already invested work. 15 minutes, people!!!
And I am NOT the source of your failure, nor is anyone else, but YOU!
Some of my favorite comments:
"Running is making my legs bigger" (whaaaa...?)
"I was good today, I skipped my desert for dinner" (as is a part of every meal, I'm sure)
"I walk my dog" (he's not the one eating M&Ms and his legs are a fraction of the length of yours)
"If I even as much as look at weights I get bulky" (cause you don't use them and give time to let the fat go and the muscles build)
and "I have been working with you for months, how come I haven't lost any weight?"
Need I answer that, dear "denial"? How come I haven't GAINED any weight? I have been working with me for years!!!!!!!!!
aaaaaaaargh!
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Egg Salad
I was boiling some eggs this morning that I keep in the fridge for quick snacking, but I had left them boiling and forgot all about them. Half an hour later, when I went back to the kitchen, I realized what I had done and became skeptical, as to whether or not I could’ve over boiled them, could eggs be over cooked and if so when, and whether or not I should still try to use them in an egg salad. After deshelling them, it seemed they were just like the 7 minute eggs, so I proceeded to make my egg salad which turned out to be delicious, mostly due to the bit of mustard I had added. Then I wondered again; what have I just done? I have added a fat filled calorie dense condiment (mayonnaise) and totally ruined my awesome quick snack. Well, not ruined it but altered it badly. See, this is how easy it is to fall victim of added calories when it really isn’t necessary. Is egg salad better than a boiled egg? No, not at all. Aside from the already mentioned extra calories and cholesterol (because contrary to wide spread advertising, you should NOT get your Omega 3s from Smart Balance products) and fat, what sort of nutritional value does mayonnaise have? Let’s see… if you have a boiled egg you could have it alone, as I always do, with a bit of salt. OK, cholesterol, but you can easily choose to eat the white only. As opposed to having an egg salad, that you would have to put on something, generally bread; then how many calories has your little egg turned into? With all the yolk too. There. Make better choices and cut the crap. You would be surprised by how many “little” calories you can save and still have what you want. Because those little calories have to add up to about 35,000, if you want to loose, say 10 lbs. 35, 000!!!
The question though still remains: Can you over cook eggs? When do they explode?? (I already have a good half an hour on this project.) Any guesses?
The question though still remains: Can you over cook eggs? When do they explode?? (I already have a good half an hour on this project.) Any guesses?
Sunday, November 4, 2007
FAU
Yeah, I'm still going to school. I wouldn't mind going till the end of times, except, I am getting frustrated and disillusioned. Especially at FAU in Boca. Could they possibly care less about the students, the actual people, not the tuition count, but the living breathing, driving, working people who attend that stinking school?
Well, I attend, and I don't think I want to, anymore. I started the semester driving around on campus for at least 20 minutes to find parking. All the while seeing umpteen cop cars and ticket devils, just writing up everybody. Rows of cars parked on a strip of grass. Not just one car, but rows and rows. Stuck in between rows on another strip of grass. Every usable patch of land was occupied, not out of disrespect, but out of lack of alternatives, yet they proudly go around punishing everyone. So it works like this: sign up, we take your tuition. Then we charge you a fee for your parking sticker and for being a commuter student. If you think you may want to switch a vehicle, or want to register another one, just in case, that's another hundred some dollars. Thanks for your payment. You will have no place to park, but we can hit you with some fines, so more revenue for us. We will also have students teaching you, who may be brilliant and promising scientists or mathematicians, but have never taught, nor do they have any communication skills. So good luck retaining anything. But thanks for your tuition and the opportunity to fine you while you are trying to learn and commute an hour to f...n campus.
Than, there are the counselors, the ones who neglect to tell you that a program you want to pursue is only offered on the Davie campus... and so forth. Than, there is a dental clinic where you can receive discounted services, such as cleaning, provided they don't accidentally move your appointment to next month and you have, once again, got to drive to that stinking campus and look for a stinking spot to park without having to pay and pay and pay. Who cares, right? I sure wish I was somewhere else, where there was a choice of schools, where the commute wouldn't suck so much, where I could afford to enroll in a program that is taught by teachers who give a f... Till then, I think I'll look into University of Phoenix. Home sweet home.... and I get my personal refrigerator and a little warm body laying next to me (Shaz) and my husband asking if he could bring me anything...life is not so bad, as long as you don't go to FAU.
Well, I attend, and I don't think I want to, anymore. I started the semester driving around on campus for at least 20 minutes to find parking. All the while seeing umpteen cop cars and ticket devils, just writing up everybody. Rows of cars parked on a strip of grass. Not just one car, but rows and rows. Stuck in between rows on another strip of grass. Every usable patch of land was occupied, not out of disrespect, but out of lack of alternatives, yet they proudly go around punishing everyone. So it works like this: sign up, we take your tuition. Then we charge you a fee for your parking sticker and for being a commuter student. If you think you may want to switch a vehicle, or want to register another one, just in case, that's another hundred some dollars. Thanks for your payment. You will have no place to park, but we can hit you with some fines, so more revenue for us. We will also have students teaching you, who may be brilliant and promising scientists or mathematicians, but have never taught, nor do they have any communication skills. So good luck retaining anything. But thanks for your tuition and the opportunity to fine you while you are trying to learn and commute an hour to f...n campus.
Than, there are the counselors, the ones who neglect to tell you that a program you want to pursue is only offered on the Davie campus... and so forth. Than, there is a dental clinic where you can receive discounted services, such as cleaning, provided they don't accidentally move your appointment to next month and you have, once again, got to drive to that stinking campus and look for a stinking spot to park without having to pay and pay and pay. Who cares, right? I sure wish I was somewhere else, where there was a choice of schools, where the commute wouldn't suck so much, where I could afford to enroll in a program that is taught by teachers who give a f... Till then, I think I'll look into University of Phoenix. Home sweet home.... and I get my personal refrigerator and a little warm body laying next to me (Shaz) and my husband asking if he could bring me anything...life is not so bad, as long as you don't go to FAU.
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