GO from Fat to Fit in as little as 90 days and stay fit! Real life transformation to health and fitness through proper nutrition and exercise based on the extreme home fitness program P90X.
So here's the thing, I'm a huge skeptic when it comes to certain health claims. I get even more suspicious about the product by the way in which a company markets their product. There are just so many businesses that want you to spend your dollars on what they claim is THE BEST thing since sliced bread that will turn your health around. I've avoided these marketing schemes like the plague and instead have chosen to focus on the very best whole foods that money can buy, as well as a mutli-vitamin/mineral supplement. I've also been investing in my health by buying and using a quality whey isolate protein powder as a way to up my lean protein intake. As seen by my results so far, it's proven to be a very successful combination in regaining control of my health and fitness over the past 6 months. I'm living proof that if you want results and are willing to put in the exercise work and eat healthy, you can have amazing results.
There is a catch though. I've had plenty of time available to me to achieve my goals, but some people are not so fortunate and don't have the luxury of hand preparing every single meal to maximize their nutrition. I on the other hand have. However, I just don't think I'm getting my money's worth on spending about 120 dollars a month on my current supplements and protein powders. They've been a huge asset to my health, but what if there was a something that offered even better nutrition, tasted great and I didn't have to eat huge bowls of fruits and vegetables to equal the nutrition, for about the same as what I'm spending now? What if I could replace just one of my daily meals and still have a way to fully nourish my body with super nutrients for optimal health? What if I could save myself some time and a little money while at the same time losing weight, reducing my cravings, increasing my energy levels and stamina and have a healthy digestive system? I'd be all for that!
Many people struggle with finding the right solution that works for them to lose unwanted pounds. We all know we need to eat foods that supply our bodies with essential nutrients, natural whole foods that maintain the vitamins, minerals and fiber, but that are stripped from highly processed foods. I have gone out of my way to boost my health by consuming superfoods such as maca root, goji berries, bee pollen, amaranth, quinoa, green tea, chia seeds, spinach, pineapple and blueberries to name just a few. I've been adding these superfoods to my home made green smoothies which I consume daily when I can't have a sit down meal or the time to prepare and cook a meal. My smoothies have made a huge difference in my diet and improved my health. Our bodies need ingredients it can easily absorb and utilize. It needs the combination of digestive enzymes, prebiotics, antioxidants, phytonutrients, essential amino acids and many other ingredients that frankly I am still lacking despite my very best efforts to eat clean. Even eating all the servings of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains every day does not supply me with complete nutrition for maximum performance. I want the best octane fuel for the race of life!
Imagine combining 70 natural ingredients into one drink! There's no way possible for me to do that in my vita-mix blender, no matter how hard I were to try, and I throw a LOT of ingredients into my home made green smoothies as you can see. I recently tried to get my brother to give my smoothie a try and he couldn't even get one swallow down! He said it tasted like grass! Even my coworkers mock me and make fun of my smoothies! LOL!! However, I know it's healthier than processed and fast foods, and I've probably grown accustomed to it gradually as I've added more and more to my smoothies. But wouldn't it be great if you could get over 70 natural ingredients into one smoothie that acts like a salad but tastes like a dessert! I want a health food that has proven results! I want it backed by good solid scientific research! It must leave me feeling full and satisifed and contain only the best of superfoods that are avaialable on the market at a fair price. So I've decided to put it to the test.
Like I said, I'm a huge skeptic and don't lightly make decisions when it involves my money and my health. But an investment with proven results is certainly something that deserves my attention. I'm also very careful about what I might recommend to my friends and family. I've put off for six months giving this product a fair shake, no pun intended. LOL! But I'm at a point where I want to take my fitness goals to a whole new level and my body is going to need the perfect combination in order to transform into a lean mean machine. I need this food to help build muscles, improve my skin and hair, support a clear mind and mental clarity, improve my mood and reduce my cravings. I need this food to reduce the free radicals that cause oxidative damage. I want to lower my chances for degenerative conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, dementia and arthritis. I need this food to boost my immune system, help fight disease and sickness, to slow down my aging process and detoxifiy my body. I need this food to help protect my body from stress and create balance in my hormone and immune system. I need this food to supply better intestinal health and aid my digestive process. I need this food to be easily broken down and increase absorption of nutrients. Is there any such shake, meal or vitamin that can make this claim and back it up with proof? YES there is! I'm willing to put it to the test when a claim as substantial as that is made. Just check out these supplement facts on this nutritional label by clicking the image on the left for full size.
This shake is going to replace my whey isolate protein powder and the mutli-vitamin/mineral supplements I've been taking as part of my healthy diet with no extra out of pocket expense. I still plan to continue making my green smoothies, but this additional smoothie shake is likely going to be the healthiest meal of the day. I have not been paid to endorse this product and I receive no compensation by way of any affiliation. I am simply passing along to you my interest in a healthy product that may be of benefit to you in your own health journey. If this doesn't transform my health in 30 days, I'll be getting a full refund, even if the bag is totally empty! I can't go wrong putting it to the test. So, I've decided to try it for just one month, I'm committed to that and now let's see how far I'll succeed with Shakeology from BeachBody, a dietary supplement. It will replace one meal each day at a cost of about 4 dollars per meal. Pretty inexpensive if you ask me when you consider the cost of junk processed foods that contain so little nutrition. You don't have to look far when you leave your home to see the fast rising trend of people being overweight and obese from poor diet and nutrition. Make no mistake my friends, you are what you eat and drink!
Most people want to have better health. Most people would like to do something positive for themselves and that will also help others and make a difference. If you keep on eating what you've been eating, you'll keep on feeling and looking the same with no change. I want to be a success story that you can follow, and get inspired and motivated to make a positive change in your own life. Take that first step to freedom of body and mind. Your chance is here and I hope you will take it! It all starts with a decision. Decide, commit, succeed!
I was browsing online at the foods that would be served at this years Heritage Festival in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and came across a food that caught my eye as being healthy and nutritious. It wasn't something I was familiar with, but sounded like it would be delicious based on the ingredients. So I took my search to Google to find out about Ceviche. Perhaps you've never heard of it either. So, here's what I found by way of explanation from Wikipedia.
"Ceviche (also spelled cebiche or seviche)is a seafood dish popular in the coastal regions of the America's, especially Central and South America. The dish is typically made from fresh raw fish marinated in citrus juices such as lemon or lime and spiced with hot chili peppers. Additional seasonings such as onion, salt, and pepper may also be added. Ceviche is usually accompanied by a side that complement its flavors such as sweet potato, lettuce, corn or avocado. As the dish is not cooked with heat, it must be prepared fresh and for the right amount of time to avoid the potential for food poisoning."
The recipe I share is one that I made at home today, and both my wife and I really enjoyed it's fresh flavors and tasty textures. I let my wife try it first, to which after a few bites she announced that it was a keeper and I would be making that one again! There are apparently many health benefits to eating this popular Latin American seafood and veggie combination dish. Based on the ingredients used, here's a few that come to mind.
Helps to maintain a healthy heart
It is said by those who eat it that it decreases symptoms of arthritis
It's an immune system booster
Promotes healthier skin
Good for the eyes
May decrease the risk of Asthma
Helps in maintaining strong bones
May Reduce the risks of Alzheimer's
So when something that's so ridiculously healthy and also tastes so good, how can you not eat more?!! Here's my modified recipe from allrecipes.com for this delectable and refreshing Succulent Ceviche.
Ingredients:
4-6 ounce of Tilapia (substitute scallops, halibut, red snapper, flounder, swordfish)
2 cups of frozen cooked shrimp
6 fresh whole limes, juiced, remove pulp
2 whole red tomatoes, diced
1/2 medium size red onion, finely chopped
1 long stalk of celery, sliced
1/2 yellow pepper, diced
1/2 mango, diced
4 inch of cucumber, peeled and diced
1/4 to 1/2 cup of fresh cilantro, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper
1/2 a large avocado, diced
1.5 tablespoons of olive oil
1/4 teaspoon of Himalayan crystal salt
Directions:
Rinse Tilapia (or substitute fish) and cut up into 1 centimeter pieces and place into bowl. Pour fresh squeezed lime juice over Tilapia. It should be completely covered by the lime juice. Juice more limes if needed. Chill the bowl in the refrigerator for about 1 hour, or until the fish is opaque (you cannot see through the pieces).
Add all the remaining ingredients together in a seperate mixing bowl and stir together gently. Take the fish and lime juice from the fridge after is marinated and pour into mixing bowl. Stir together gently and place back in the fridge to cool. We served these with some multi grain tortilla chips. Recipe makes 4 servings.
Note: Marinating times may vary depending on quantity and thickness of fresh raw fish pieces. Click image for larger scale.
Ceviche is simply fantastic and I highly recommend it! It's almost like a really chunky seafood salsa, only better! Doesn't that picture look mouth watering? IT IS, and I can't wait to have more!! Being my first attempt at making Ceviche, it turned out to be quite amazing and so worth all the chopping and dicing during the preparation. You will love this food if you enjoy seafood and veggies. Eat healthy my friends and enjoy!
Remember that it's never too late to start changing bad habits, habits that can shave years off your life and impact the quality of your life. So, if you want the straight dope on fueling your body with nutritious food and what to avoid, I'm here to help and it won't cost you a penny for the free advice based on my own experience and what has worked for me. I hope you'll follow my blog and provide me with some feedback on my posts. I'll be catering good choices that include both dietary and lifestyle changes. So if you could use a boost to your engine, buckle up for the ride of your life and let's get started!
Despite my lack of childhood memories, I do remember the hours spent in the garden. We grew up on a small 3.5 acre parcel of land, much of which was a vegetable garden. A lot of time was spent weeding the rows, that seemed endless! If memory serves me correctly, our parents would compensate us for each row that was weeded. Trying to get my own children to weed is futile, even for money! Then came harvest time and the hours that took to pick and prepare the food for canning and freezing. What a huge chore!
I was never a real big fan of green beans as a child, unless they were smothered in butter and salt. There's such a difference in taste, in quality, in texture between a fresh vegetable and a frozen vegetable. And there's a difference too in whether it's mass produced with pesticides and herbicides. When you grow and pick your own it tastes so good and it's incredibly healthy knowing it's free of chemicals. They simply are better than anything you've ever had from a store! I love to eat green beans!
The rewards and benefits of picking and preparing your own food are just as huge as growing and tending a garden! I wish now that I'd pay a little closer attention to how my parents prepared the food for canning and freezing. Hindsight is 20/20, but fortunately there are many great resources available through the Internet that provide a wealth of knowledge on every topic you can imagine. I came across a website as I was searching for how to freeze my green beans from my garden. I needed clear directions, recipe, photo's and advice.
In a nutshell, here are the 8 simple steps to freezing green beans, courtesy of pickyourown.org.
1. Get your green beans from the garden!
2. Wash the green beans.
3. Trim the end, and if you prefer cut into smaller pieces.
4. Get your blanching pots ready.
5. Blanch the green beans for about 3 minutes in boiling water. I steamed mine for 6 minutes.
6. Cool the green beans in ice cold water.
7. Bag the green beans in freezer bags or vacuum sealed Foodsavers.
8. Place the bags into the freezer.
Beans sealed in Ziploc bags with as much of the air extracted as possible will keep for about 9 months in the freezer. I always put aside some of the fresh green beans into the refrigerator to be eaten over the next week. If you seed your beans in stages, you can pick fresh all summer long. Nothing beats the flavor of a freshly cooked green bean from the garden! I highly recommend it. Yes, it's a lot of work. Yes, it costs a little money to plant a garden. It seems that anything worthwhile takes time and money. The seeds to plant that crop of beans were a few dollars and the water was free from mother nature this year. The time I put into it was well worth the effort. It's an investment in my health. This year we're going to try and harvest our own green bean seeds from our plants by letting some of them dry out on the vine.
It's never too late to start changing bad habits, habits that can shave years off your life and impact the quality of your life. So, if you want the straight dope on fueling your body with nutritious food and what to avoid, I'm here to help and it won't cost you a penny for the free advice based on my own experience and what has worked for me. I hope you'll follow my blog and provide me with some feedback on my posts. I'll be catering good choices that include both dietary and lifestyle changes. So if you could use a boost to your engine, buckle up for the ride of your life and let's get started!
If you want to achieve what others do, then logically doesn't it make sense to DO the things others have succeeded at doing? How does someone for instance live to be 100 years of age or older? When something is tried, tested and true, why try to reinvent the wheel. In my journey to health through proper nutrition and exercise, I ask myself what paths have centenarians taken that lead to a long life of health and happiness, and can I make their success mine?
This present mortal life has some certainties, such as if you have an inactive lifestyle, you're going to age faster and increase your exposure to heart disease, cancer, diabetes, bone loss and cardiovascular disease. We know that in contrast regular physical exercise, or an active lifestyle through daily routine, are proven to lower mortality rates. But is there more to it than that? Of course there is. So by studying the lives of those with longevity we can identify several key factors that provide for a foundation of a fulfilling and long life.
So what are the common denominators in the lives of people and cultures that they all do that lead to a path of a long life?
1. Move Naturally for physical activity.
2. The Right Outlook. Downshift and Purpose Now.
3. Eat Wisely. Wine, Plant Slant and 80% Rule.
4. Connect. Love ones first, belong and right tribe.
To find the path to long life and health, Dan Buettner and his team study the world's "Blue Zones," communities whose elders live with vim and vigor to record-setting age. At a TED presentation, he shares the above common diet and lifestyle habits that keep them spry past age 100.
Of course, there's no guarantee that people who make healthy lifestyle changes will live to age 100. However, you will certainly enjoy a better quality of life and a longer life if you do. Here's my quick laundry list of things to do.
Lose weight. Or if you're at an ideal body weight now, stay there. Extra weight puts a strain on your heart and body and puts people at risk of diseases that shorten life. The simple fact is most people simply eat too much. Cutting back on calories is one step to help trim your waistline and extend life. Research suggests animals fed fewer calories live longer — about 40% longer!
Shape up. Regular exercise can help prevent or delay a laundry list of diseases. The experts say to aim for at least 30 minutes of moderately intense exercise 5 days a week or more. And it's never too late to start a fitness program. Even seniors who've never been active before can work up to a fitness routine that will help keep them strong for years to come. Walking, swimming, dancing — even gardening and housework — can help to stay in shape.
If you smoke, stop.Tobacco-related diseases cause more than 400,000 deaths a year in the USA alone. Yet nearly 50 million Americans still smoke. Go figure.
Socialize. Go to a party, join a movie club, help out at a charity, meetup on the internet. Research suggests that people who build and maintain friendships and family relationships often are healthier and seem to recover from illness faster. Social connections may ward off depression and seem to boost the body's immune system, which helps fight infection.
Reduce stress. Take a walk, meditate, have some quiet time or have lunch with a friend. Scientists say that people who build stress-busting habits into their daily routine gain a big health benefit. Unhealthy stress puts us at risk of getting sick or developing chronic diseases that can cut life short.
Eat a healthy diet. Diets that include 5 to 10 servings of fruits and vegetables per day can help prevent age-related damage to cells. Fruits and veggies, the more colorful the better, contain protective substances that can help ward off diseases. Most longevity experts recommend cutting down on fatty, salty, sugary foods. Go for lean meats like poultry and fish, as well as a wide variety of fresh fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds and whole grain foods.
Get a good night's sleep. Research shows that sleep deprivation can lead to memory lapses, depression and immune system problems as well as obesity. Scientists say sleep deprivation may not be a natural part of aging.
It's never too late to start changing bad habits, habits that can shave years off your life and impact the quality of your life. So, if you want the straight dope on fueling your body with nutritious food and what to avoid, I'm here to help and it won't cost you a penny for the free advice based on my own experience and what has worked for me. I hope you'll follow my blog and provide me with some feedback on my posts. I'll be catering good choices that include both dietary and lifestyle changes. So if you could use a boost to your engine, buckle up for the ride of your life and let's get started!
Are you battling sleep deprivation? Some of the symptoms you may feel are sluggishness, fatigue, daytime sleepiness, clumsiness, poor memory and may be gaining weight or have trouble losing weight. I've struggled with these issues for several years. It got so bad that I finally and reluctantly had my medical doctor refer me a few years ago to a sleep specialist. They wired me up and I tossed and turned the night while they diagnosed my condition. Turns out I had sleep apnea. My wife already knew how much of a problem it was when I'd stop breathing in my sleep, only to take a huge gulp of air and a lot of snoring. It was as much of a health issue for me as it was to her sleep patterns. The specialist said I would need a CPAP machine to help keep my restricted airway open while sleeping. My medical doctor said the machine would help, or I could lose weight and that my condition would likely improve and correct itself.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2010), over 25 percent of Americans experience sleep deprivation. For some, disrupted sleep results from the hectic nature of busy modern lifestyles. For others, serious sleep disorders affect both rest and health. Sleep plays a vital role in health and wellness. Most people know that eight hours of sleep per night is desirable. People who got very little sleep ate more, but did not necessarily burn any extra calories in a new study that adds to evidence supporting a link between sleep deprivation and weight gain. The new findings from the University of Pennsylvania show that “sleep should be a priority,” said Michael Grandner, who studies sleep and sleep disorders at the University in Philadelphia. “If you’re trying to be healthy, don’t forget that getting healthy sleep is probably an extremely important part of being healthy,” said Grandner.
In a separate study, the department of Neurology at Northwestern University in Chicago linked obesity to sleep duration. The study also found that people who sleep later into the day and eat later in the day had a higher body mass index. What they found was that late sleepers consumed 248 more calories a day, mainly at dinner and later in the evening. They ate half as many fruits and vegetables, twice the fast food and drank more full-calorie sodas than those with earlier sleep times. "The extra daily calories can mean a significant amount of weight gain - two pounds per month - if they are not balanced by more physical activity," said co-lead author Kelly Glazer Baron, a health psychologist and a neurology instructor at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. “The research findings could be relevant to people who are not very successful in losing weight,” said Phyllis Zee, M.D., the study’s lead author. "The study suggests regulating the timing of eating and sleep could improve the effectiveness of weight management programs."
As a youngster, and even into adulthood, I have pulled many an all-nighter. There is always a price to be paid the next day: trouble focusing, a fuzzy memory and other cognitive impairments. When I improved my diet and lifestyle to healthy eating and started exercising, the sleep apnea began to minimize and eventually virtually eliminated. I now get a sound nights sleep, as does my wife. I'm able to function at what I feel is a much higher level of cognition. I think clearer, have more energy and vitality, feel stronger and don't get the sleepiness or feel sluggish. I no longer feel fatigued and my weight is now ideal! Sleep deprivation leads into a cycle that seems to spiral out of control, if we choose to let it. I took back the control through proper nutrition and exercise and my sleep deprivation was reversed.
Is sleep deprivation holding you back in life? Nearly everyone knows that good nutrition and regular exercise are key ingredients to a healthy, happy life. However, nutrition and exercise are not the only foundational elements of well-being. Without healthy sleep, my overall health was utterly compromised. Fast forward from three years ago, and thus, nutrition, exercise and sleep became a key factor in the success of my well being. It is absolutely imperative to be educated and understand the importance of these three foundations. I am a testament to its impact on my life. I hope my blog post today will help empower you to live life to its fullest.
If you want the straight dope on fueling your body with nutritious food and what to avoid, I'm here to help and it won't cost you a penny for the free advice based on my own experience and what has worked for me. I hope you'll follow my blog and provide me with some feedback on my posts. I'll be catering good choices that include both dietary and lifestyle changes. So if you could use a boost to your engine, buckle up for the ride of your life and let's get started!
Like a performance engine that runs on high octane fuel, we can fuel our body with supercharged foods for peak health. As I grow older I want to ensure that my quality of life is the best it can possibly be. That means eliminating certain foods and eating habits and replacing them with nutritious whole foods and making it a lifestyle for everyday.
You can buy an extended warranty for a car. But if you want to have an extended life free of malfunctions and defects, you can't buy an extended warranty for your body. It's going to rust out if you don't care for it. Preventative maintenance is critical to your durability, reliability and quality of life! If you ignore this for years like I did, it's going to eventually catch up with you.
This doesn't have to be complicated or expensive like outfitting an engine with a supercharger. It only requires a little self discipline to break the old habits and form new ones that are going to benefit your body. You don't need to get all crazy on dieting. It's simple and it's easy! But it will challenge you in the beginning as your body experiences cravings for things like salt, sugar and fats. Your with drawl symptoms from addiction to junk food will take a little time to break free from, but your body will respond to the nutrition you're fueling up on and the cravings will diminish. I've noticed that if I eat something now like a bag of Cheezies, my body immediately responds negatively to the junk! My body now finds those unhealthy choices to be toxic and wants to rid itself of it.
In the first few months I began my health journey, I researched and closely monitored my diet. When I use the term "diet" I don't mean a diet that is restrictive by starving yourself to lose weight. DIET is what you eat. DIET is nutrition and the sum of food you consume. DIET is the deliberate selection of food to control, not only your body weight, but your health based on the nutrients you take in. There are many foods that aid our diet and many that are a hindrance.
First the foods I have forsaken and avoid. Here are my dirty dozen.
Pop, soda, diet and regular
Sweeteners, artificial and refined sugar
White flour and other processed grains
White potatoes and white rice
Caffeine, especially energy drinks and coffee
Fried foods, especially restaurant fast foods
Dairy, especially cows milk, ice cream and most cheese
Butter, margarine
Sports drinks
Pre-packaged meals
Animal products, namely beef.
Alcohol, particularly hard liquor and spirits.
Eating healthier is not as hard as it seems. Focusing on some simple foods that are packed with nutrition is a common sense prescription for health and wellness. Your heart and your body will thank you for it! Here are the top ten nourishing whole foods I feed my body for nutrients that satisfy and are delicious!
Fruits (2-3 daily servings)
Vegetables, fresh and organic where possible and affordable (2-3 daily servings)
These super foods when combined with at least 30 minutes of daily exercise are a recipe for also dropping unwanted inches and pounds to get your body back to a lean machine! I guarantee that you will look and feel great and be in the best shape of your life! I'm no longer taxed by unhealthy foods that robbed me of energy and sped up my aging. I now have a 100% improved digestive system, my muscles have toned and developed and I have a higher level of mental alertness. In short, life has taken a 180 degree turn and I feel like I'm regaining my youth at the age of 48!
If you want the straight dope on fueling your body with nutritious food and what to avoid, I'm here to help and it won't cost you a penny for the free advice based on my own experience and what has worked for me. I hope you'll follow my blog and provide me with some feedback on my posts. I'll be catering good choices that include both dietary and lifestyle changes. So if you could use a boost to your engine, buckle up for the ride of your life and let's get started!
Like a performance engine that runs on high octane fuel, we can fuel our body with supercharged foods for peak health. As I grow older I want to ensure that my quality of life is the best it can possibly be. That means eliminating certain foods and eating habits and replacing them with nutritious whole foods and making it a lifestyle for everyday.
