Rant and Tip August 18, 2011

Yesterday, I talked a little bit about myths concerning Atkins. It is funny; in my daily life people all the time come up to me and asked me questions about fitness and my diet. They in general think I am not following the Atkins diet, because they see what I eat and think that based on their knowledge of the diet that I am not following it. I inevitably end up given them a lesson in the program. I do not push Atkins on them but try to educate them on how the body will process foods. I let them know your body burns four things for fuel, Carbohydrates, Fats, Protein and Alcohol. My poor children have heard this all before and they have said to me, “Can you go a day without saying carbohydrates?” I tell them, “I can as long as nobody ask me how I got so fit.” Sometimes they just walk away shaking their heads. I actually hope, this all sinks in for them so they never get to where I was.

I went to Albany Strength last night for a quick workout and to wish my friends good luck in the USAPL National Raw Powerlifting meet. Do to family commitments I did not do a full power meet in this federation and thus did not qualify. The event is being held in Scranton Pennsylvania and is being streamed live at the USAPL website. Check it out and root for my friends this weekend. Good Luck Mike, Jim, Ox, and Adam from Albany Strength. My friend Brian and Ray will also be there and some of the woman who will be competing are Katia, BillyJo, Tierney and Laura. Good Luck to you all. If they stream the Bench Press Nationals I will be sure to let you all know as well.

If your have not been working out what are you waiting for. Strength training really is for everyone. Studies have shown that people who continue to lift into their senior years benefit greatly. They tend to not break bones as easily and they maintain the balance better, thus having less accidental falls. I bet if that woman who keeps saying “I have fallen and I can’t get up” had been doing her strength training exercises she would not have fallen in the first place. Exercise can keep us going long into our later years of life and give us quality as well. We lost a fitness guru last January. Jack Lalanne, he was 96 years old. He was never a burden on his family and was an avid swimmer. One of his quotes I like most is: "Living is a pain in the butt. Dying is easy. It's like an athletic event. You've got to train for it. You've got to eat right. You've got to exercise. Your health account, your bank account, they're the same thing. The more you put in, the more you can take out. Exercise is king and nutrition is queen: together, you have a kingdom." I just love that statement.

Have a great workout!

You to grandma!

Tip:

When eating out do not be afraid to ask what is in a dish and even request some changes that meet your dietary needs. I do not usually eat a potato or yam after 4:00 in the afternoon. So when I eat out I have no qualms asking for an extra side of vegetable instead, or a salad. You are the one paying for the meal, get what you want. Oh and one more thing, if they are accommodating as they should be, be sure to tip appropriately.