Thursday, May 29, 2008

A New Approach

When this site first began, I think that Erin planned for it to be a site that housed a bunch of information about weight loss. A place for people to come, to be filled with anything they needed to attack dieting and weight loss effectively. I think that it has accomplished that. At some point though, our focus, as readers, is changing. We are not ALL on that scale frenzied weight loss journey anymore. Some of us are. But some of us are just wanting health information. At some point, the focus has to change a bit.

I don’t want to mislead anyone. I am still trying to drop my last 20 pounds. But somewhere along my journey, I realized that I needed to make life changes and long time commitments in order to make that happen and I don’t need the numbers from my scale every single day to keep me heading in the right direction. I have said it a million times, but here it comes again: If you want to lose weight and keep it off, you can’t diet. Dieting is a temporary fix to a long term problem. I am sick of writing about diet. I am sick of trying to come up with ways to tell everyone to lose weight. The fact is, we have all probably heard it all anyway. Right?

I don’t jump into something without arming myself full of knowledge. Yet, I just come here and spew and lecture you guys in an effort to keep you all motivated. I have a head full of things that I know about food, diet, health and nutrition. Most of which, I don’t share here. Mainly because most of what I know, is based on a plant based way of life. Vegetarianism. That is what I know, because that is what I am. I know that in the past, some of the readers that we had here didn’t agree with my approach. Most think they can’t possibly give up meat, yet, this is where my food knowledge lies. I am a plantaholic. There is a lot of knowledge that stems from eating plants too. Pardon the pun.

After much thought, I have decided that I am going to start sharing that knowledge here. I would love nothing more than to have you all drop the animal products form your diet and enjoy the good feelings that I have. I know that most of you won’t be willing to do that though. I also know that my understanding about food can benefit not just plant eaters. Yes, you, Mr. Steak and Potato person. Even my veggie loving self can probably help you. I am going to stop focusing on the weight loss issues when I write and start focusing on the health issues.

I hope as my attention shifts in a slightly different direction here, that it won’t scare anyone off. Even if you aren’t tossing the meat and animal products into the trash, there is a lot about food that will help you no matter which road you might be on. I have read countless articles about vegans and vegetarians. Some of the information, I considered great and stored it away for my own personal use. Some of it was what I considered garbage so it got tossed right along with my animal products. I think it is safe to do that with any new topic you might be exploring. Remember this: We are only as smart as we allow ourselves to become. 

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Get To Walking!

Walking is not just about getting on the treadmill, putting on your iPod and struggling through 30 to 60 minutes of walking in the same place, looking at the same things you have done for the past few months.  Firing up your imagination means you can find plenty of places other than on the treadmill or in the neighborhood park, to get in 30 minutes of walking to help you stay fit. Besides, a change of scenery may do you good.

Here are some places you may have never thoughts about to get your next walk in:

• Museum. Stroll through the galleries for plenty of visual stimulation. Here’s a plan: pass first through all the galleries and climb the steps or walk for a half-hour, then go back and revisit the art that caught your attention the first time through.

• Ballpark. Take in America’s pastime, but get out of your seat at the baseball game and walk around the stadium. Big-league stadiums are plenty large for a good, brisk walk, and many minor-league parks aren’t so small. Do the same during the colder months for football and in indoor arenas during hockey and basketball seasons.

• Zoo. Roar into a walk as you stroll by lions, tigers, and bears. Walk around the perimeter paths for 30 minutes, and then zig-zag through the zoo.

• Waterfront. What a more serene place to walk that the boardwalk at the ocean, a serene lakefront or meandering river.

• Animal shelter. Volunteer at your local animal shelter and get plenty of exercise walking and washing the dogs, and helping clean out their kennels.

• Trail. Go hiking in the woods or a wildlife preserve near your house. Possibly you could find a state or national park where different terrains will test your endurance.

• Main Street. When was the last time you were on Main Street in your town or city? Bet it’s been a long time. Find out what new shops or restaurants have opened since your last visit. You can surely get in 30 minutes of steady walking from one end of the street to the other, then back along the other side.

• Botanical garden. Find a gorgeous, serene botanical garden in your area. Walking through the quietness while admiring the flowers, shrubs and trees isn’t the only benefit; you’ll also do wonders clearing the cobwebs out of your head.  We have Duke Gardens nearby to us, and let me tell you, it is miles and miles in circumference. 

• Orchard. Plan an outing to a pick-your-own fruit orchard. Instead of taking the wagon ride to the trees, opt to walk.

• Golf Courses. The average walking distance for 18 holes of golf is approximately five miles, and burns approximately 420 calories without carrying clubs. Playing 2 ½ rounds of golf per week significantly improves aerobic performance and favorably affects fat reduction. Even if you don’t golf, offer to caddy.

• College campus. Most universities provide miles of walking paths, acres of rolling terrain and panoramic views. Don’t forget to stop by the stadium for a stroll or sprint on the rubberized track and for a few laps up and down the stairs.

• Bridge. You’ll get scenic views as well as subtle inclines that will give you a good workout. Warm up slowly with about five minutes of easy walking before you speed it up for the long haul. Of course, watch out for the traffic.

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Kickin’ the Habits

Today, at Wicked Weighs, it is officially “Kick it to the Curb” day. I declared it. So it is. We are using today, this mere 24 hours to kick an unhealthy thing from our lives. It can be anything you wish. Just commit and kick it - for 24 hours.

Today, I am kicking diary out of my life. Yep. I am a cheese addict. That is the one thing that I have been unwilling to give up completely. Even though I know how horrible it is for me. I think I love cheese even more than Jasmine does. That is HUGE. I have read countless things about how it is full of saturated fat, calories and other yuckie stuff etc. yet I refuse to give it up. I don’t even have a moment of guilt when I eat it either. I just ignore the things that I know about it and go to town. Well, today, I am ridding myself of it. Completely.

So what are you guys giving up today? Post it here and let us know.