When we are under stress, our adrenal glands produce hormones. These include the fight-or-flight hormones, epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenaline), as well as cortisol. Cortisol stimulates fat and carbohydrate metabolism for fast energy (the fight-or-flight response), thereby stimulating insulin release to keep pace with the rising blood sugar levels. This results in an increase of our appetite. If we experience chronic stress, with chronically high levels of cortisol, we many end up hungry all the time, causing us to overeat.

Cortisol also influences where that weight will be deposited. A fascinating study on the effects of the release of cortisol during acute and chronic stress in nonoverweight women was published in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine in 2001. The study clearly demonstrated that this excess cortisol contributes to the deposition of visceral fat, particularly in the abdominal region. As we know, there are two types of fat: subcutaneous (under the skin) and visceral (found in the abdomen and surrounding our vital organs).

Central obesity (fat that is centered in the abdomen) sets the stage for a host of health concerns such as heart disease, strokes, and diabetes. Because of its serious threat to health, this has also been referred to as “toxic fat.” Traditionally, women worried about the size of their hips. However, when it comes to overall weight gain, it is preferable to have it on the hips as opposed to the stomach area—if not from an aesthetic point of view, then from a health point of view. Studies indicate that women (and men) who store their weight in the abdominal area have higher cortisol levels and higher stress levels than those whose weight is stored on the hips.

Good morning all

Hopefully this quick post finds you all well and chirpy this morning?
Here in Cape Town the days are slowly but surely closing in and winter is on the way.

One of my biggest resources and something I have not really mentioned much so far on this blog is the “The Weigh-Less Option”. By that I mean that I opted to ‘go back to Weigh-Less’ – as many people do – when I decided to take charge of my health and wellness.

Note please that I said ‘take charge of my health and wellness’. I did not say (or even think) that I decided to go on a diet again! I dislike the word ‘diet’ immensely and the word has not featured in my vocabulary for a very long time.

I returned to the Weigh-Less programme for one reason only – no! – make that two reasons.
Reason 1: The programme works!
Reason 2: Mary opted for GI/GL
Let me explain.

Mary Holroyd is the pint sized dynamo who founded the organisation on 25th February 1975. Today, 35 years down the line and in her early sixties, she shows no signs of slowing down and I am very much looking forward to attending a ‘Mary Event’ in Bellville next week. I last saw her ‘in the flesh’ in the late 1970’s when she addressed an open meeting in a church hall in Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg.

The programme as presented by Weigh-Less has changed and adapted to new nutrition guidelines over the years and the cherry on the top for me was when I noted last year that the eating plan was based on Good, Better, Best options with Best being low GI foods.

Perfect for me with all my lifestyle induced health issues and I hasten to add pretty darn perfect for anyone wanting to reach optimum weight and wellness. The formula allocated to me has been vetted by two dieticians as well as my doctor and very little if any tweaking of the plan was required.

My husband has joined me on my odyssey and is also achieving good results. I have put him on the same eating regime with slightly increased quantities of starchy carbs, fat and protein.

Am I being paid by Weigh-Less to write this piece? Hell no! As you may realise by now, I write about what works for me. I get a discounted rate as a member of Discovery Vitality and I pay by monthly debit order so I do not feel the cost at all. The cost is simply factored into my monthly budget and that’s that!

I think they also have a contract type scheme on offer at this time. I will check it out and report back here at the weekend.

Do yourselves a favour, go out and get hold of the latest Weigh Less magazine at your nearest supermarket or bookseller. The 35th anniversary issue is really special and has all the lowdown on the Woman and Man of the Year winners and finalists. Something there too for the men in our lives!

Today was a much better day. I went back to the normal schedule, but now, my rest days are on Mondays.

Exercise Plan

P90X Chest & Back and Ab Ripper X.

For Chest & Back, I did 18 reps of everything except for 15 reps of back flys. I used 10 lb weights for the weighted exercises and a green resistance band for the pull-ups. My right shoulder was feeling a bit awkward, so I eased up on it halfway. For the bands during pull-ups, I noticed that pull unbalanced…one side is slightly stronger than the other, so the band moves around. I’ll have to find a solution for that later.

Ab Ripper X. I completed all the exercises and for Mason twists, I did 75 reps without any weight. I still need to work on my form for a couple of the exercises and straighten my legs. But really, those sit-ups kill because I feel like I’m “kipping” instead of doing them properly.

Food Plan

• Breakfast: 1/2 green onion bun and 1 blood orange
• Lunch: rotisserie chicken sandwich with homemade bread, mayo, pesto, baby lettuce salad, and alfalfa sprouts
• Snack: 3 home-made strawberry veronas
• Dinner: beef, eggplant, black bean and garlic stew with rice and green onions

Photo

Day 29 March 15th,             (150 pounds )

What the crap! I only lost 1 pound. LOL … I’m disappointed. It’s my fault though cause I didn’t stick to my exercise routine. I only lost 1 pound… Sorry I had to say it again because I can’t believe it. I was sure I had at least lost 3 to 4 pounds.

I didn’t exercise today. I decided if I’m going to exercise I’m going to have to wake up at 4:00am or I won’t be able to exercise. I was so close waking up today. I said to myself “I’d better not wake up early. I need my rest to try to lose an extra pound.” It sounds so ridiculous now when I think back. 

Anyways breakfast was another kiwi. It was better than yesterday’s. I also had a coffee. Lunch was left over chicken and mini carrots. Dinner was left over chili with cheese on top. Oh and I had a glass of wine. 

Note to self: Trying to wake up at 4:00am then snoozing it. Isn’t failure. It puts me one day closer to success. I will succeed.

Morning:

Ok today is the first official day of the diet and I know it is odd but even after changing a few meals since Sunday I am already feeling better. After my last detox fiasco, where I went from bad for you foods to a vegan diet, I got really sick. I learned my lesson and spent the past few days changing a few things so that by today my body would be better prepared. Sunday and yesterday I had super healthy dinners and by this morning I was ready for the oatmeal breakfast I had prepared. I am adding new ingredients here and there to make it more enjoyable. I have heard from many sources that if you do not like a food do not eat it just because its healthy. I agree 100% even as a kid when artificial sweeteners and margarine reigned supreme I refused them. I have tried alternate sources over the years but I would still have a little of the real stuff than a lot of the chemicals. Those chemicals are like poison to your body and can in some cases actually cause weight gain in the long run so be careful of the “FAT FREE” foods and the “NO SUGAR” foods for those in the New Jersey area there is a source for low-fat low sugar frozen yogurt and it is all natural and made locally. I highly recommend Halo farms based in Ewing NJ with Halo Pub in Princeton and  Robbinsville. I was hesitant to get it, thinking it was like all the others with fake sweeteners and overly processed stuff, but when I read the literature, it looks  like the real deal! I had the chocolate and mixed it with peanut butter. The peanut butter one was a little soupy but both tasted good! Read labels, eat real food and enjoy what you eat!

Afternoon:

Went for  my 30 minute walk I want to start working in 3-4 sessions of exercise a week of any kind. I want this adventure to be more about the food than about the activity. I know it goes hand in hand but since it is the food I have battled that is what I want to tackle first. I read in another blog post somewhere and I like it that you can not out exercise bad eating habits! I think that was a great comment and want to pass it along. It was difficult at work but I only had one piece of the chocolate that was out. and I am trying to kick my dunkin donuts habit! it will not be easy but someday I will be able to go there just for the coffee and nothing else!

Day 28 March 14,          (Weighing in 1 day)

This morning I ate a kiwi for breakfast. It was delicious! I haven’t eaten a kiwi for years. I also had a coffee. Coffee always picks me up in the morning.

Lunch was left over chili with cheese on top. It was much tastier than last night. Chili is always better the next day. Just like spaghetti and soups. Must be all the spices settling in.

Then for dinner I ate chicken and asparagus. I’m starting to like asparagus. I like it a lot more than I used. My taste buds must be maturing. LOL just like I never used to like avocados. And now I do.

I didn’t exercise today.  It’s Sunday.

Note to self: Try not to be discouraged if you don’t hit your weight goal tomorrow.

Hey! Glad you could join me!

My name is Steve and my goal is to lose 80 pounds in 8 months with simply modifying my diet and starting to exercise again. That would be about a 10 pound drop in weight per month between now and Thanksgiving.

I’m about to start my journey… “exorcising” my fat suit!!!   Demons be gone!

I’ve lost a bunch of weight in the past but my theory is this: Our bodies are like memory foam mattresses, the bigger you get, the easier it is to get back to being that BIG.

A few years ago, I weighed 265 pounds and I got down to 235 pounds for a trip to Hawaii. Then I shot back up to 285! At that point, I tried again to lose my fat suit and managed to get back down to 255 pounds. Since then, I’ve managed to really let my weight skyrocket.

In high school, I was about 225 pounds. My goal is to get all the way back to that weight… and stay there. My doctor says I should weigh around 190 pounds for my height, but I would be ecstatic if I could just get back to my high school weight. 

I weighed myself  this morning and the scale hit a daunting 305 pounds. Oh boy! Now I’m in the red zone for all sorts of bad things to happen to my health. As I approach my 38th birthday, I am making a pact with myself to drop the fat suit that I’ve been carrying around for years and start living life like a normal, healthy guy. This will improve my overall health… both mentally and physically. I’ll keep you posted!

I brought the lunch that I left yesterday, today…. It was amazing!! My husband is such a great cook, he makes everything taste good. He grilled the fish with some garlic, lemon and salt,  WOW!!!  yummy and  healthy!! Makes dieting SO much easier!!………………………..This is what I’m eating/ate  today in chronological order (+ lots of water):

  – A glass of V8 tropical juice

 - A cup of cantaloupe

 - A large weak soy latte with 2 equals

 - 1 Wholegrain toast

 - A piece of grilled barramundi (fish) with a steamed corncob

 - 12 cashew nuts

- 2 carrots

 - Green tea

 -A 2 egg white omelet with ham

 Remember all before 6:00pm

 - More green tea