How healthy are you since starting IM...

[Michael Ellis]

I can honestly say that I'm about as healthy as I was during the years when I was addicted to playing Doom.

[Raquel]

I've never been hospitalized since birth. I worked as a technical support in a shifting schedule for almost 20 years, I've never been hospitalized. I discovered IM late 2006 and for 2 years now I am a full time IM'er. I was hospitalized last July 2008 for gastroenteritis, my first time. Forgot to eat on time when working in front of my laptop. Even before, I do not drink coffee, eat junk foods and unhelathy foods. I am very concious with what I eat, (because I want to maintain a good figure) but the problem now is that I forgot to eat and sometimes do not have the appetite. Now It is a concious effort not to forget eating..always have something to eat beside me. Biscuits, apple, banana, etc.

[Sylvia Jaumann]

Thanks for the positive reminder Kim. I work out for an hour and a half almost every day (1 hour on the treadmill and 1/2 hour strength training). If I don't maintain this schedule my weight soars very quickly. Fortunately, my treadmill and weights are right beside my computer and desk so it's a constant reminder to stay on track.

[ctutt]

Great post! You've done us all a great favor by stimulating some thought and motivation to "love" ourselves a little more.
Charles

[Michael Oksa]

Sadly, my weight has gone up, but know what I need to do.

The good news is that my stress level is way (no pun intended) down.

I recently went to the doctor for what could still be a very serious condition. The thing is that my blood pressure has always been on the high end. And being at the doctor for this reason was making me incredibly nervous. However, my blood pressure was about as healthy as it can get.

Stress can wreak havoc on all of our bodily systems and I am glad I don't work for a boss. Sometimes I have to work harder than I did at the j-o-b, but it never stresses me out.

I've always had a major sweet tooth, and don't see how I can give that up, nor do I really care to. Still trying to add healthier foods to my diet, though.

Now, I just need to get up, and get moving.

~Michael

p.s. Maybe a Warrior Health Challenge is a good idea.

[Kelly Verge]

Memorial Day, 2007


Memorial Day, 2008


Today I'm down 85 lbs. Went from TIGHT XL shirts (first picture) to Medium shirts.

Body for Life

[jhongren]

p.s. Maybe a Warrior Health Challenge is a good idea.

Hi Michael,

I think it is a good idea. Instead of contesting who make the most money, we can have "most money while doing it the healthy way".

To be the winner, one needs to exercise too. And do it not for the contest but also for ourselves.

Cheers,
John

[Chris Monty]

I've switched over to Diet Coke and Gobstoppers...they take longer to eat...lol.

[Jason Moffatt]

I down smoothies every day.

Despite my continual swilling of brewski's, I'd bet $100 my diet is better then 99% of most people, and 99.78% better then most internet marketers.

The one thing I give myself permission to spend obnoxious amounts of money on is having the best food on the planet...

YouTube - Super Morning Smoothie Secrets

If you wanna get some of the best food on the planet, take a peek at...

http://www.sunfood.com (non aff link)

[Jose Delgado]

Originally Posted by Jason Moffatt

I down smoothies every day.

Despite my continual swilling of brewski's, I'd bet $100 my diet is better then 99% of most people, and 99.78% better then most internet marketers.

The one thing I give myself permission to spend obnoxious amounts of money on is having the best food on the planet...

YouTube - Super Morning Smoothie Secrets

If you wanna get some of the best food on the planet, take a peek at...

http://www.sunfood.com (non aff link)

Very Cool Smoothie Tips J-Mo!

[cbean]

TBH I spend so much time on the Computer that a lot have changed for me....
Only recently at a health fair I got a rude awakening when my blood pressure
was out of whack.....

However some beet juice, parsely and young coconut water has put paid to
that....

I make it a point to go to the beach everyday now.....

[SpeedDemon]

Originally Posted by ExRat

Essential internet marketer resources 101 -

1) A home gym just behind where you work -

Yep, the home gym is key for keeping in some kind of decent shape when you're too busy (or lazy) to get out of the house. I keep a set of free weights near my desk so I can take quick exercise breaks between doing some work. Keeps my blood flowing and helps me think better.

Overall, I'm probably healthier than when I did office work, but I eat a lot more junk snack food all day. It's nice being able to actually go out and exercise during the day instead of having to wait til the end of a long day at the office.

[Kim Standerline]

Originally Posted by Jason Moffatt

I down smoothies every day.

Despite my continual swilling of brewski's, I'd bet $100 my diet is better then 99% of most people, and 99.78% better then most internet marketers.

The one thing I give myself permission to spend obnoxious amounts of money on is having the best food on the planet...

If you wanna get some of the best food on the planet, take a peek at...

http://www.sunfood.com (non aff link)

If you're putting fruit in your smoothies JMo they are laden with sugar.

I started off making lots of fruit smoothies and couldn't understand why my blood sugar was so high.

Apparently they are laden with sugar, I was gutted

Kymi

[Nicholas Ho]

My eyes are getting bad since I startd IM.
I don't know in what ways I can take care of my eyes...Any tips?
The worst part is I did not go for exercise like I use to anymore.

PLanned to get back to basketball soon!

-Nicholas Ho

[Kyle Tully]

Originally Posted by Kim Standerline

If you're putting fruit in your smoothies JMo they are laden with sugar.

I started off making lots of fruit smoothies and couldn't understand why my blood sugar was so high.

Apparently they are laden with sugar, I was gutted

Kymi

Fruit are mostly carbs in the form of fructose. They are low GI and not usually anything to worry about, especially considering all the good aspects of fruit -- like vitamins etc.

It's different to sucrose (e.g. table sugar) which is high GI and generally bad for your body.

[John Taylor]

Internet Marketing fitness tip of the day...


Get a dog!



I go for a walk with Muffin at least twice a day, as well
as getting lots of regular excercise, I also get time to
relax and think.

John

[Kim Standerline]

Originally Posted by Kyle Tully

Fruit are mostly carbs in the form of fructose. They are low GI and not usually anything to worry about, especially considering all the good aspects of fruit -- like vitamins etc.

It's different to sucrose (e.g. table sugar) which is high GI and generally bad for your body.

Hi Kyle

I was told by my dietician that making fruit smoothies was one of the worst things I could do especially for my diabetes. The sugar content is really high. (I was making a lot so I could take my fruit all in one go daily).

I was buying bags of pure fruit just as JMo does in his vid, and I was mixing it with low fat natural yoghurt and unconcentrated juice so I thought I was doing everything right.

JMo vids rock, I watched that one all the way through. (Something I do rarely)

OMG John a Springer, we had one for 17 years (I adore them).

I'm desperate for a dog, and I want another springer, but hubby won't let me have one because we go away so much

Real reason is because he can't cope when they die.

Kim

[John Taylor]

Originally Posted by Kim Standerline

OMG John a Springer, we had one for 17 years (I adore them).

I'm desperate for a dog, and I want another springer, but hubby won't let me have one because we go away so much

Have you considered getting a new hubby who already has a Springer?

John

[Kim Standerline]

Originally Posted by John Taylor

Have you considered getting a new hubby who already has a Springer?

John

Don't tempt me

Told him yesterday he's on the way out for a new younger model

Go with my new younger figure lol

Kim

[AnneE]

Originally Posted by Aegon

Well. I'm in better shape than ever and better health, for similar reasons as Jhongren mentioned, more drive and motivation. Luckily. I think this computer radiation has given me super powers! I am...Monitor Man! With my magical USB cable lasso I will make you tell me where the hard-drives are!

Monitor Man -- ha ha. I love it. When I head out in running tights (in cooler months) I love to pretend I'm a superhero, who slaves by day in a geeky drone of a job, but whose true self emerges now and then to do great things. I'll confess to once in a while muttering under my breath, "I am a Superhero. I am Programming Woman. I am a Superhero." -- As Aegon and others have mentionned, the trick is really becoming a goal-oriented person with the mindset for success.

As for the scout dude. Awesome buddy. Both for the better fitness and for doing stuff with your kids. Speaking of which, I have a tour permit that I better get done.

Anne
a.k.a. Troop 131 Committee Member
a.k.a a Superhero -- Programming Woman (though I'm looking for a catchier handle)

[Greg Cooksley]

Originally Posted by Kyle Tully

Fruit are mostly carbs in the form of
fructose. They are low GI and not usually anything to worry about,
especially considering all the good aspects of fruit -- like
vitamins etc.

It's different to sucrose (e.g. table sugar) which is high GI
and generally bad for your body.

Hey Kyle,

Not all fruits are created equal....especially from a diabetic
point of view....

Here are some examples:

The Glycemic Index of Some Foods Based on 100 = a Glucose Tablet.

FRUIT
strawberries 32
apple 38
orange 43
orange juice 49
banana 61

So if you pack a smoothie full of bananas you're asking for trouble.

Another example is potatoes:

POTATOES
sweet 50
yams 54
new 58
mashed 72
instant mashed 86
white 87

It's better to eat sweet or baby potatoes because their GI is
so much lower than large potatoes.

Regards

Greg

[Christie Love]

Knowing what you just stated... since starting IM, I now workout two times a day instead of one and snack on celery sticks instead of junk food. I understand that sitting on my butt all day can wreck havick on my health, so I decided to kick unhealthy habits in the butt early; before it got me first.

[Kim Standerline]

Originally Posted by Greg Cooksley

Hey Kyle,

Not all fruits are created equal....especially from a diabetic
point of view....

Here are some examples:

The Glycemic Index of Some Foods Based on 100 = a Glucose Tablet.

FRUIT
strawberries 32
apple 38
orange 43
orange juice 49
banana 61

So if you pack a smoothie full of bananas you're asking for trouble.

Another example is potatoes:

POTATOES
sweet 50
yams 54
new 58
mashed 72
instant mashed 86
white 87

It's better to eat sweet or baby potatoes because their GI is
so much lower than large potatoes.

Regards

Greg

Your right Greg, definitely the wrong type of thing to make when you're a diabetic. same dietician nearly had heart failure when I told him how many banana's I was eating.

My vision was blurred and my blood suger was sky high, but once I stopped drinking them I was much better.

My daughter was encouraging my grandchildren to drink Innocent smoothies because she thought they were good for them. She was horrified when a study was done showing that they were really bad for their teeth due to the amount of sugar invoved.

It may be natural sugar, but it's still sugar

I'd love to find an alternative (I like smoothies)

Kim

[AOCenteno]

I always take time out for myself. I limit the amount of time on the computer, and exercise at least 5 times a week. I find my evening runs refresh me more than any drink.

[Sylvia Meier]

I've gained weight over the years, but I don't necessarily attribute it to IM. 4 kids in 5 years will kill any woman's body, and I think mine came out ahead for the most part. Either way, I have tried to become healthier.

I do know that my eating habits are absolutly horrible, although when it comes to actual meals we eat quite healthy. Lots of raw fruits and veggies, minimal red meat if any ( can't stand eating any sort of meat that still resembles the animal). Now that I know how sugary smoothies are I will have to find a new "healthy" drink for me and the kids. I know I drink too much caffiene ( a 2L of pepsi a day keeps me functioning). No other bad habits though.

We get out daily for walks with the kids, even if it is just to go over to the grocery store.

Tiff, I think your blog is great. I have thought about it myself as a motivator to get my butt in gear and get in shape. Now that no more kids are in the future I really should.

Perhaps we can all do a blog ring of warriors getting into shape. It would help keep us all motivated and going. Not sure if I can be brave enough to post pics (kuddos to you on that Tiff) because after trading my itty bitty size 1 figure for a size 7 I am not so self confident in my appearance anymore.

Sylvia

[Tom Mansell]

Hi Kim,

Thank you for bringing this up.

Exercise is vital. I start to get pains in my right leg whenever I stay
at the computer for too long. I often do a quick jog on my treadmill
to pump the blood around my body.

But it is so easy to just sit at your computer for hours on end.

Really unhealthy.

Warm Regards,
Tom.

[Jakehyten]

hahaha! LMAO.

This is such a funny subject! In my regular business I work from home and I make phone calls ALL day long and I sit in front of my computer from about 9 am when i roll out of bed till 6pm. THEN I start working my IM stuff and am on the computer from 6pm till midnight or later!

coffee seems to be every IMers best friend! Luckily i have good genetics and can eat whatever i want and dont gain weight. Doesnt mean im as healthy as i should be though.

We all do this for freedom and to be able to do things we WANT to do but I notice we never take that spare time to go to the gym!

Luckily I still wrestle a few nights a week to combat my EXTREMELY sedentary lifestyle!

If I wouldn't have spent so much time on the internet i wouldn't have been 2nd!

[Greg Cooksley]

Hey Sylvia,

It's not the caffeine you should worry about in that 2l Pepsi,
it's the sugar....it's really packed in there and will over time
cause major health problems....

I don't know if you picked it up earlier, but Diabetes Type 2
is the FASTEST growing disease in the western world....

This is primarily due to fast foods, fizzy drinks, sweets, chocolates,
fruit drinks and other junk foods.....

Even substituting to the sugar-free versions is not good either....they
contain aspartame which is just plain dangerous....

Investigate Xylitol, a natural sweetner which has an extremely
low GI value and in fact is good for your digestion and your
teeth...

I think I should start a blog on this....

Regards

Greg

[HeySal]

Don't look at it like a diet but a lifestyle change.

That is a mouthful, Alan. People insist on "programs" and programs don't work in the long run because a "program" is not a natural lifestyle, it is willpower.
You need a healthy LIFESTYLE to be healthy.

I don't go to gyms. It's like living inside a can to me. My dog and I go out every day and take a walk - and whenever possible that means going out gem or fossil hunting which takes us into some pretty arduous terrains. My dog gets raw meat for his enzymes (I don't believe in vegan carnivores), and when out in the wild I eat herbs and plants that grow wild and find they have extreme health benefits. When is the last time you ate the reddish pink flower of a clover or a dandelion leaf or root? Or got enough sun per week (only source of VD3) to keep your endocrine (and other systems) healthy? Or some fresh air or unfluoridated water?

My lifestyle is enhanced, not detered by my internet businesses which require me to get out and do, and to take great care of myself. Whoever heard of a rockhound that never goes gem hunting or gold prospecting? Who would buy a book on skin care or fat from a person who is rotund or looks like a shar-pei?

I am 53 and 5'6" tall, 110 lbs, and I can do anything I could do physically at the age of 20 - my dog is 11 and is a breed (rottweiler) that has a 10 year life span.

[Sylvia Meier]

Originally Posted by Greg Cooksley

Hey Sylvia,

It's not the caffeine you should worry about in that 2l Pepsi,
it's the sugar....it's really packed in there and will over time
cause major health problems....

I don't know if you picked it up earlier, but Diabetes Type 2
is the FASTEST growing disease in the western world....

This is primarily due to fast foods, fizzy drinks, sweets, chocolates,
fruit drinks and other junk foods.....

Even substituting to the sugar-free versions is not good either....they
contain aspartame which is just plain dangerous....

Investigate Xylitol, a natural sweetner which has an extremely
low GI value and in fact is good for your digestion and your
teeth...

I think I should start a blog on this....

Regards

Greg

I know it is not the caffeine and it is the sugar. My hubby knows that all too well as he now suffers from sugar sickness a lot if he tries to even drink more than one glass of Pepsi at a time; whereas, back in high school he started his morning off with a can of Pepsi.

I will admit it I am a sugar junky and I am sure my body is paying for it. I wouldn't substitute for aspartame either way, whether it was good for me or not, it just tastes plain awful.

I would be very interested in your blog so I could learn more and I think we all need to find an alternative to smoothies since everyone seems to love them.

Sylvia

[Jason Moffatt]

I alter up the smoothies, and don't always do fruit ones.

Lately I've been doing the "raw chocolate" smoothies the most.

And keep in mind, every body is different. Don't go taking health advice from people around here.

Also, diabetes can be reversed in as little as 30 days with a raw food diet.

YouTube - Promo Video for Film "Simply Raw -...

[Kim Standerline]

Originally Posted by Jason Moffatt

I alter up the smoothies, and don't always do fruit ones.

Lately I've been doing the "raw chocolate" smoothies the most.

And keep in mind, every body is different. Don't go taking health advice from people around here.

Also, diabetes can be reversed in as little as 30 days with a raw food diet.

YouTube - Promo Video for Film "Simply Raw - Reversing Diabetes in 30 Days."

Sounds to me JMo as tho you found another niche to get into

Sylvia I can relate to your husband, I had a huge sugar dump one day after eating desert. It's what made me realise I was probably type 2 diabetic. As a nurse plus having a mother 2 brothers and a sister who has diabetes, I recognised the symptoms

4 kids in 5 years (gulp) I only ever tried it the once, Kudos to you...

Kim

[Arindam Chakraborty]

Originally Posted by Kim Standerline

What do you eat and drink when sat behind your computer for hours on end, how much exercise do you take?
Kymi

Great post. I didn't expect weight loss advice in an internet marketing forum btw, but when the post is great, then no complaints.

By the way, I need to put on weight instead. God knows how many pounds I have lost ever since I started marketing in the weight loss niche.

Throw away the fizzy drinks (even the low calorie ones). They contain citric acid and it interferes with weight loss if you're trying to lose. Sip at a bottle of water instead whilst your sat at your computer.

Cut the caffeine down as low as you can.

Eat plenty of salads, veg and fruit, snack on fruit and veg instead of crisps, etc.

Watch your salt intake

Don't eat too much processed food

Make sure you get at least (and this is at least), half an hours exercise every day. It will not only help keep the pounds off, it will also revitalise your mind.

I have lost count of how many times I have repeated those things in the weight loss articles I write.

Arindam

[lindajess]

This is fantastic! I'm 28 and I had the same problem. I sat behind a desk 8 hours a day snacking on fast food and junk, then I would go home and eat junk. I gained a lot of weight and am still having problems getting it off, but the worst thing about it was my doctor turning to me two years ago and saying that, because my cholestorol was so high, and everything else that was going on, I was going to have a stroke or heart attack by the time I turned 28. Now here I am, down almost 150 lbs.

Those sites only helped a little...the bad thing about them is that their support teams don't do a lot of supporting. I felt greatly pressured to buy their products, even though there was a possibility that they wouldn't work and then when they didn't, try a new product, and so on and so on...

After I learned not to buy everything I saw on loosing weight, I am finally starting to eat better, exercise, and not worry so much about my weight.

These sites can work for some people, but not for others. It all depends on the type of person you are as well.

[Greg Cooksley]

Originally Posted by Jason Moffatt

I alter up the smoothies, and don't
always do fruit ones.

Lately I've been doing the "raw chocolate" smoothies the most.

And keep in mind, every body is different. Don't go taking health
advice from people around here.

Also, diabetes can be reversed in as little as 30 days with a
raw food diet.

Hey Jason,

I've come to respect you as a marketer but I must say I find
it a little disquieting for you to be saying "Don't go taking
health advice from people around here."

A lot of the posts have very good advice that can be verified
on any reputable health website.

It's extremely risky for you to be suggesting that diabetes can
be cured in 30 days WITHOUT proper medical supervision that those
candidates had access to. What would happen if someone just took
that advice verbatim, started an ill devised diet and had a major
problem?

Perhaps you should include your advice in with the rest of ours.

Nothing personal but just not cool bro!

Regards
Greg

PS: I fully subscribe to that type of holistic eating pattern
as talked about on the video.

My father had a major heart attack in 1970, where he lost 60%
of his heart function. He completely reversed most of the damage
by going on a completely balanced diet with the right nutrients
and minerals. He is still alive today 38 years later!

The other thing is that those candidates would end up with the
same symptoms if they went back to their old lifestyles and eating
habits!

[Jason Moffatt]

Originally Posted by Greg Cooksley

Hey Jason,

I've come to respect you as a marketer but I must say I find
it a little disquieting for you to be saying "Don't go taking
health advice from people around here."

A lot of the posts have very good advice that can be verified
on any reputable health website.

It's extremely risky for you to be suggesting that diabetes can
be cured in 30 days WITHOUT proper medical supervision that those
candidates had access to. What would happen if someone just took
that advice verbatim, started an ill devised diet and had a major
problem?

Perhaps you should include your advice in with the rest of ours.

Nothing personal but just not cool bro!

Regards
Greg

PS: I fully subscribe to that type of holistic eating pattern
as talked about on the video.

My father had a major heart attack in 1970, where he lost 60%
of his heart function. He completely reversed most of the damage
by going on a completely balanced diet with the right nutrients
and minerals. He is still alive today 38 years later!

The other thing is that those candidates would end up with the
same symptoms if they went back to their old lifestyles and eating
habits!

Greg,

I think someone would be an idiot to blindly take their health advice from a marketing forum.

Would you take your car to be repaired by a chiropractor? Most likely not.

Also, I never said the word "CURE" now did I? I also said it "Can Reverse Diabetes", not that it does.

Big difference.

And I also said that every body is different.

Best of luck.

Jason

[Greg Cooksley]

Originally Posted by Jason Moffatt

Greg,

I think someone would be an idiot to blindly take their health
advice from a marketing forum.

Would you take your car to be repaired by a chiropractor? Most
likely not.

Also, I never said the word "CURE" now did I? I also said it
"Can Reverse Diabetes", not that it does.

Big difference.

And I also said that every body is different.

Best of luck.

Jason

Hey Jason,

I fully agree, anyone should be careful where they take their
advice from and they should verify the information elsewhere
when it affects their health etc.

Some people here have medical backgrounds (Kim being one) and
much of the advice given on this thread is reliable and can be
vetted as well.

I just felt that you were dissing everyone else's right to give
their opinion and yet were quite happy providing some of your
own - like who died and made you the health guru? if you know
what I mean (NO OFFENCE - just have a laugh at it)

And I apologise you didn't say "cured"! And yes it's a big difference!

Friends????

Regards

Greg

[Jason Moffatt]

Originally Posted by Greg Cooksley

Hey Jason,

I fully agree, anyone should be careful where they take their
advice from and they should verify the information elsewhere
when it affects their health etc.

Some people here have medical backgrounds (Kim being one) and
much of the advice given on this thread is reliable and can be
vetted as well.

I just felt that you were dissing everyone else's right to give
their opinion and yet were quite happy providing some of your
own - like who died and made you the health guru? if you know
what I mean (NO OFFENCE - just have a laugh at it)

And I apologise you didn't say "cured"! And yes it's a big difference!

Friends????

Regards

Greg

Kim also admitted to having diabetes, and is in the health field.

Anybody else see a problem with that?

That's exactly my point.

Best of luck everyone!

[John Rowe]

Hey Jason... in that first vid...
That's got to be about the worst amount of cupboard space I've ever seen!

[Kim Standerline]

Originally Posted by 1inamillion

Kim thanks for this post, but you don't look fiftish. You look like you are in your early thirty

Blush

Thank you kindly sir. I'm told I don't look my age lol

Kim

[drr]

Personally, I think making the move from investment banking to internet marketing has done wonders for my health.

Yes, the workload is still intense but the beautiful part is that I can pick and choose my hours at the gym and I have a little more time to eat healthy and cook good food.

Plus, there's no dirty back-stabbing little pig making life a living hell (aka, the boss

__________________
These Are The Internet Money Makers (Free):
Internet Money Makers - Powerful Yet Simple Ways To Start An Internet Income Stream With Your PC & Internet Connection

[Martin Luxton]

Couple of things I discovered recently.

I used to think I had a really sweet tooth but, actually I enjoy eating savoury foods and salads more. I think my mind was just conditioned to think
"Chocolate - yummy!"

The other revelation was bread. I used to think I needed bread to stop myself feeling hungry because "rabbit food" wasn't very filling.

The other day I read in Early to Rise a report that grains put twice as much sugar in your bloodstream as ice cream. Whether that's true or not, it really resonated with me and for the last two days I haven't had any bread (but followed a balanced diet).

I've lost two kilos, I feel much lighter and I don't feel hungry at all between meals.

2012 London Olympics here I come!!

Martin

[Eric Johnson]

Ya know, it's interesting but I've gotten a LOT healthier since I started doing IM. I am really into martial arts and started doing some MMA type training and it's just amazing how much better my body is.

IM has a large role in that because of the flexibility it give me. I can jump up and do some training whenever I want to. Really nice.

I should write a new ebook..."How IM can help you lose weight and get you all the honeys"

[Kyle Tully]

Originally Posted by Greg Cooksley

Hey Kyle,

Not all fruits are created equal....especially from a diabetic
point of view....

True, not being a diabetic I don't tend to worry as much about it as others might have to.

I've got bags of frozen mixed berries that I use for my fruit smoothies, they're all on the low GI side. Bananas are a nice treat

[Doug McIsaac]

We all need to make time to keep ourselves in shape. Thanks for reminding us.

Doug

[Anita Ashland]

I've never been healthier and working at home has a lot to do with it.

I drink green tea mixed with raw honey (to keep the seasonal allergies away) while at the computer in the morning and evening. I usually indulge in Wild Cherry Pepsi in the afternoon.

My favorite exercise is sprinting and yoga in the backyard as well as breathing exercises throughout the day to help strengthen the abs. I never eat big meals unless I'm at a restaurant but graze throughout the day on fruit, veggies, almonds, cheese, etc.

I'm in good shape except I started doubting that when looking at photos of 5 time Olympic swimmer Dara Torres over the weekend (the ones of her in her black bikini holding her toddler). We're roughly the same age and, wow, is she in shape. I feel like such a slacker in comparison. :-)

[Greg Cooksley]

Originally Posted by Martin Luxton

Couple of things I discovered recently.

I used to think I had a really sweet tooth but, actually I enjoy
eating savoury foods and salads more. I think my mind was just
conditioned to think
"Chocolate - yummy!"

The other revelation was bread. I used to think I needed bread
to stop myself feeling hungry because "rabbit food" wasn't very
filling.

The other day I read in Early to Rise a report that grains put
twice as much sugar in your bloodstream as ice cream. Whether
that's true or not, it really resonated with me and for the last
two days I haven't had any bread (but followed a balanced diet).

I've lost two kilos, I feel much lighter and I don't feel hungry
at all between meals.

2012 London Olympics here I come!!

Martin

Hey Martin,

You make a good point about bread in general, especially white
bread. When consumed, it converts and hits the bloodstream very
quickly. This is what causes the spike in blood sugar levels.

Now, whole grain Low GI bread is altogether different. Because
of its complex makeup, it gets digested a lot slower and keeps
you feeling full for much longer. And best of all, it doesn't
spike blood sugar levels at all.

For me, the best part is, that it tastes almost like carrot cake...
if you block your nose and squint your eyes...lol

Try it and let me know...

Regards

Greg

[Greg Cooksley]

Originally Posted by Kyle Tully

True, not being a diabetic I don't tend
to worry as much about it as others might have to.

I've got bags of frozen mixed berries that I use for my fruit
smoothies, they're all on the low GI side. Bananas are a nice
treat

Hey Kyle,

Those mixed berry smoothies are the best and you're right, they're
very low GI and they contain all the flavounoids and anti-oxidants
that are beneficial.....

I really enjoy fresh mango smoothies when they are in season.
Only trouble is I end up having too much....

Regards

Greg

Regards

Greg

[ExRat]

Hi all,

All this talk of food - I have a thing at the moment for granary bread, and also fresh melon & pineapple...yum!

Moving away from food, but staying with 'health & IM', I moved house 18 months ago to be by the sea and also to challenge myself by making a fresh start in a new place, a long way from home and familiar people. But quite often, I forget to appreciate all that I have around me.

Yesterday, I was talking to a friend on the phone because I was getting a bit stressed with work and getting stir-crazy cabin fever from being in the home office too much. After our chat I decided to go to a place I hadn't been for three months, about 20 minutes walk away. It's a strange little village that has been preserved almost as it was a good few hundred years ago.

They also have large public grounds with tons of unusual, unkempt plantlife and wildlife and I used to go there a lot in the daytime because it is often deserted and one of the most peaceful places I have ever been to. Well it did me the world of good to go there yesterday (no electronic thingies, no noise, hardly any other humans - just plants, birds and fish jumping out of the pond to catch flies) and it has three different ponds on three different levels - so you can feed the ducks

I just came back from going there again for an hour. My point - there are many aspects to maintaining health when working in our industry and the more you know, the better. Already this thread has mentioned food, exercise - and now, finding your own 'peaceful place' to go and chill out - and the beauty of my job is that WHENEVER I feel the urge I just chuck on the shoes and go and chill with the ducks and moorhens.

It's not the Grand Canyon or anything spectacular like that, but I put a page of photos (that I just took) together to see if they can express what I have tried to with these words.

HTH

Click for photos - index

[Greg Cooksley]

Hey Roger,

So true, you have to find a place to be quiet and let all the
stress just melt away....

Man, your description and your photos make me so envious and
you say that's just twenty minutes away....lucky fish....

I guess that's the problem when you live in big cities, you have
to go further to find those tranquil places. When I was growing
up, we had a park with a huge lake where we used to catch fish.
But it also had one pond that reminds me very much of the one
in your pictures...had a bench and a running stream and lots
of big fish....but we weren't allowed to fish there.

As they say - stress is the silent killer...so we have to actively
do stuff to reduce the stress.....

Great post....

Regards

Greg