You can avoid reality, but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality

Rant and Tip for August 1, 2012

Quote: "You can avoid reality, but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality."

- Ayn Rand (1905-1982)

This quote I think speaks for itself. We can avoid the truth about our eating habit and lack of discipline with exercise but the truth is it will and does catch up to us.

It is funny; in my daily life people all the time come up to me and ask 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 asks 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.

This weekend is the USAPL Raw Nationals. They start Friday August 3^rd in Killeen Texas. I wish I could be there. Some strong lifters will be present. My friend and fellow 165 lb competitor Mike Macri will be competing. I wish him strong lifts and proper depth. Mike is a talented lifter with strong hips which help him a lot in the squat and deadlift. I have learned a lot from him and wish him the best.

If you 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!

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.