Fear is what stops you... courage is what keeps you going

Rant and Tip for June 4, 2012

Quote: Fear is what stops you... courage is what keeps you going. –Unknown

How often has fear of a new activity or fear of the unknown stopped you, only to find out that someone you know has already taken the plunge and is enjoying telling you all about it. We need to leave our fear behind us when we take on a new exercise regimen new way of eating. If you do not conquer that fear a couple of years from now you will be right where you are and will not have progressed at all.

I write this blog to help others get motivated and assist them with any answers to questions they may have. The other day I had the pleasure to meet a gentleman in line at the local school. There was a dinner for my son and students who have been on the honor roll for the past three semesters. This man was standing behind me and tapped me on the shoulder. He said to me “Are you Wes Kipp.” I of course responded yes I am. He proceeded to tell me how he read an article in the local paper about me and how I went from fat to fit and how I was now competing. He stated it was inspirational and that he is also looking forward to competing and is looking forward to competing against me. I look forward to the challenge. I also was very pleased to find that all my work here on the blog was not for nothing. I know it was not my blog he had read but I was still able to help someone and that inspires me!

I also get many questions about diets. Sometimes it is an easy answer. Sometimes it is not. As many people here are aware I eat a low carb lifestyle. Low carb by normal standards that is and yet higher than most low carb dieters. This is because of the level of exercise I perform at. I rarely if ever consume simple carbohydrates and when I do take in some more complex carbs like Yams or Potatoes, I gear them around my workouts. A potato or long grain rice an hour before a workout and a yam within a half an hour after. I also keep my protein levels higher than most people, taking in 1.5 to 2 grams of protein per lean body mass. This may seem high to most people but my body does use it. When I give advice on diet, it is sometimes difficult to help because I do not get to see the level of exercise output that the individual is performing at. I also do not have enough interaction with them to determine their metabolic rate which is different with everyone. However with enough correspondence I think we are able to get them going in the right direction. If  I can help, I will!

Have a great workout!

Tip: All too many times I hear people tell me I cannot eat on plan when on vacation or out to eat at a restaurant. This is poppycock! You are the paying customer, simply and politely tell your server what you dietary needs are. I have yet to go to a restaurant that was not willing to give me an extra serving of steamed vegetables instead of pasta or a potato.