Goals

I have found that the best thing that keeps me going during my health journey is making a goal that I can stick to. In the beginning it was quitting drinking pop. I have been successful for the most part; I have a little here or there but not more than 2 or 3 times a month. After that I wanted to run a 5k and began to train for that. In June I completed that goal. I had made a goal of running a nother 5k in the fall but I feel because that wasn't a goal that would push myself further, I pretty much forgot about it. I haven't been running much and I haven't been working out in general. Since April, I have been doing these challenges on LoseIt! that have been getting more popular with every month. They have evolved in to this great community of people that always keep me going. In June I stopped logging my food and even though I didn't gain I also didn't lose any weight. When I started my July challenge I worked hard to get back in the habit and this group of people really help me achieve my goal of logging everyday. Now that we are here in August and I feel my interest waning I have decided I need a big goal...Wait thats not right...I need a BIG goal. There that better. As I was struggling to come up with this I met an amazing guy with the same goals as myself, Micah. I met him on Facebook in an "at home dads group" and since we had the same goal we started a group for at home dads that are looking to live a healthy lifestyle and lose weight. Last week in a conversation he mentioned he wanted to go with me and another dad in the group on a bike tour of Door County in Wisconsin. I thought he was joking and brushed it off. Then I noticed he started posting questions about tents and other "camping" type items and realized he was serious. This idea began to stew in my brain. At first, it was, "how cool would that be, to bad I can't do it." Then I began to think, "Wisconsin isn't that far away. Maybe." Then, "You are not fit enough to do that." Then another friend posted photos from his bike tour of the Netherlands and then it was, "Oh man, I want to do this." I contacted Micah and said, "Lets do this." He sent me a list of items he thinks we will need and after looking it over I discovered I had nothing on the list...Including the most important tool...A bike. After looking at prices including the bike and travel expenses to get to Wisconsin I'm looking at a cost of over $2000. And that wasn't counting the cost of food during the tour. The problem: I am a Stay At Home Dad. My wife makes enough to pay bills but as far as funding a trip for myself, not only do we not have the money but it would be selfish to expect my wife to pay for a goal I want to do without her. So I am putting it up to the world and asking anyone that can help to please, go to http://www.gofundme.com/starmodesix and donate any amount you can. Also If you have any items that you can loan or give me that is on my list let me know.

Health Tip #31: The Dangers of Splenda

Everyone keeps talking about the dangers about aspartame (equal) but no one is talking about sucralose (splenda). Sucralose is made by taking real sugar and processing it so that the sucrose (sugar) is taken out and leaving the sweet part that cant be metabolized by your body. (Sucralose does contain calories but because your body doesnt metabolize it the calories have no effect...apparently) During the process chlorine is added to help remove the real sugar part. Yup you read that right, chlorine. The stuff you put in pool, the stuff you wash your whites in. Aspartame has shown to cause many bad side effect when drank in soda regularly and sucralose is no different. common side effects associated with the use of Splenda include headaches and migraines, nausea, upset stomach, digestive issues and dizziness. You may be getting it somewhere you didn't even know. Of course there is Diet Coke with Splenda, Pepsi ONE uses it, Diet Mountain Dew, Diet Lipton iced teas, regular and with lemon. All Diet Rite drinks contain it as well as Hansen's Diet Sodas.  Nabisco-brand Snackwells sugar-free sandwich cookies, sugar-free yogurts and ice cream, canned fruits and fruit gels, sugar-free jelly, Crystal Light, Ocean Spray Light Juice Drinks, Arizona Diet Iced Teas all use Splenda. Even some Nutrition bars use Splenda instead of sugar to reduce calories.

You may think you are doing good by replacing Aspartame with Splenda but your not. It is an easy jump to say, "I should stop drinking Diet Pepsi and switch to Pepsi One" but your only opening yourself up to other problems. The best way to maintain a healthy life style and feel good is to stop drinking pop all together. Don't replace one bad thing with another. I use Stevia (Truvia) which is a Natural sweetener because it is derived from the plant and doesn't involve chemicals to make it low calories. It has also been shown to help decrease hypertension and lowers blood sugar levels in diabetes patients. It was also been used by South American Natives to prevent pregnancy, apparently.  As with all sweeteners even Stevia should be avoided during pregnancy and while breastfeeding, mainly because there hasn't been enough research involved. 

Writing

I've always wanted to be writer. I enjoy it and I enjoy reading but like everything else I half ass it and never get anything done. How many posts are here that say "in back expect more." This isn't one of those posts...I hope. Here is the thing I want to write more. Will I succeed? Probably not. Will I try? No...I will do. What can you expect here? You can expect a few posts then a drop off. But I will do my damnedest to not let that happen.

Health Tip #30: Morning Hydration

Be sure to drink at least 2 cups of water within a half hour of waking up to make up for the dehydration of sleep. This is very important for people like myself because of the amount of sweating I do when sleep I will become more dehydrated.

Health Tip #29: Keep Your Mind Active

A major part of being healthy is keeping your mind active. I mentioned before to always try to read. This time I am saying to watch and listen to news radio and TV. Keep your mind in the real world as much as you keep your mind in the fantasy world. Most network news isn't worth it but most local news is very informative and worth watching. NPR is the best source for news because, even though they do lean liberal they stay more middle with their coverage than any network news.

Of all the network TV the show think is the best news source is 60 Minutes. They are presenting some really good news reports lately. This week they delve into the housing "issue" in China. Amazing story.

How ever you get your news do it regularly to keep you brain happy. Even with all the depressing news out there it is important to keep your brain informed and active.

Health Tip #28: New Things

Don't be afraid to try new things. I've been try many new things, from Asparagus to green smoothies I've been expanding my tastes greatly.
I have been putting Spinach in my smoothies. I have never liked spinach. It is actually good. I also added wheat grass and it made my smoothie taste like grass...but I liked it. Don't hold yourself back you may actually enjoy these things that seem gross. Also by drinking green smoothies for breakfast I have lost 2% of my body fat.

Health Tip #27: Slow Down

No I don't mean stop exercising. Slow down while eating. It takes around 20 minutes for your stomach to tell your brain you are full. Don't eat it all really fast take small bites and savor it. You may find that after 10 to 20 minutes, you won't be as hungry as you thought.