Summer SeXXXi : The Mad Dash

Have you noticed any of these things? The gyms are overcrowded with   unfamiliar faces, the treadmills, elliptical machines and cycles are being held up by what I have deemed the newbie work out crew.  The weight machines are being used as resting places or even recliners in some situations?  Your favorite vitamins and protein powders are in limited or scarce supply?  Well blame it on the Summer Sexy Crew!

 
Every year the vicious cycle starts to repeat itself; between February and April (even into May) a great mass of people vow to get "Summer Sexy".  These are the people who are sedentary for 9 months out of each 12 month cycle, who keep the restaurant, fast food and junk food industry profitable.  The people who are inspired by the weekly ads for work out equipment that have realized this seasonal promotional sales blitz is a great time to sell some more home gyms.  These people are the reason Tony Little still sells 1,000 units of 'The Gazelle' each year! These are also the people who ultimately fall victim to gym attrition.  Who are so busy counting calories, drinking shakes, taking supplements and diet pills that they fail to realize that in order to be sexy in the summer, they need to be sexy year around -- furthermore a few weeks on the treadmill and eating a granola bar or two is not going to make a drastic difference.

The 'Summer Sexy Crew' is just another collection of people who are an annoyance.  In  the colder months these people can cover up their 'Un-Sexiness' with jackets, sweaters, long shirts and pants.  But with the seasonably warm temperatures that can sometimes rise into the high 90's and 100's they are forced to strip of their hide away clothes and show some skin -- skin they should have been working on year round.

 
My annoyance is also my comedy.  I am amused by the diets, and propaganda for quick weight loss, 6 week 6 pack abs, and claims that 80-100lbs can be lost in just "three short months".  For those late night infomercial watchers the before and after pictures are them.  They say stuff like in just three short months I went from a blubber belly to a rock hard beach body" just by doing blah blah blah.  Most times I just want to issue a C'MON SON!  If weight loss were that simple don't you think the obesity epidemic would fall off the radar, and we would go back to discussing the War on Drugs?

Pledging to diet is the first mistake.  Diets are fails.  Epic Fails!  Fails of Massive proportion.  How many people have you heard tell you in the same breath that they have been on countless diets?   Joined various weight loss programs?  Taken this pill, or that pill?  Bought the newest work out DVD set?  All in an attempt to Diet the pounds away.  Well their first mistake is Dieting! 


I have said it before and I will say it again.  Diets are a straight set up for failure.  Lifestyle changes are the only way to truly lose weight and KEEP IT OFF.  Unless you like to wear a 5 size variance of clothing throughout the year, put an additional strain on your heart with the up and down of weight and just feel like pure crap? I suggest changing the way you eat, become more active and cease and desist with the vow to become Summer Sexy!  Remember there are four seasons to contend with.

Diets don't work! By definition diet in this context is a temporary restrictive food plan.  See the word "temporary"?  95% of people who lose weight 'dieting' gain it back within 1-2 years with additional weight.  To lose weight you need to ditch the diet and update your mindset; you know the way you update the apps on your smart phone! Instead of 'dieting' find a healthy way of eating that works for you and your lifestyle.  Not everyone is meant to go hardcore Atkins, or become a vegetarian over night.  Remember you are socially conditioned to eat the way you do, blame your parents and environment if you need a source.  To lose weight eat foods that feed your needs, if you have a active lifestyle research and discover what foods are best to sustain you through your activities.  If you are more sedentary eat foods that are symbiotic with a less active lifestyle.  And whatever you do, do not forget to work out or exercise.  Your body will thank you later, your entire body not just those love handles you want to make magically disappear so you can wear this seasons latest fashions without embarrassment.


So in your mad dash to become the next video vixen for the summer, or Mr. Rock Hard Abs, keep in mind your lifestyle needs to change and not just for the next 6-8 weeks; but forever!

Xoxo, 

BG!

Look What I Found!

Over the past few weeks I have had some pretty interesting finds, some stuff I found just by happen and circumstance, other stuff through good ole' word of mouth or being nosy. Check out some of the cool stuff I have found!

1. Walk With Walgreens!

Ok, I probably would have not really paid the huge cardboard cut out of Donald Trump any attention in my local Walgreens except it had a big red sign on it that said "FREE KIT".  I quickly summonsed a cashier to find out where to sign up and get my free kit.  At a photo kiosk I entered minimal personal information and was presented with a little ornate box, with a pedometer and duffel bag inside.  GREAT FREE DEAL.  You can get one by visiting your local Walgreens or visiting www.walk.walgreens.com




2. GYM-PACT APP!

Fellow Blogger Stormy Vawn has been posting from an app called Gympact so I downloaded it to my iPhone to see what all the hoopla is about.  GymPact helps you commit to exercise and actually do it, using cash incentives! Currently this app is only for iPhone users but you can earn up to $0.75 for each trip to the gym.  And YES they can verify each gym visit!  But how cool is it to get paid for going to workout?






3. Mary's Gone Crackers!

Ok, ok, ok!  I know I have been avoiding carbs like the plague for almost a year now.  But a recent visit to my Mother's house turned up this cool find.  I always rummage through her cabinets and refrigerator when I first walk in (actually I do this at most people's house LOL)!  Well, after examining the carbohydrate content and deciding it was ok to have 4 crackers I tasted them.  EXPLOSION OF FLAVOR INSTANTLY IN MY MOUTH!  The entire Mary’s Gone Crackers’ line is manufactured in the USA in their dedicated organic, gluten-free, vegan, nut-free, dairy-free facility to ensure there is no cross-contamination.  My Mom said she purchased them at her local Costco, but I found them online as well.   Here is a link to the site www.marysgonecrackers.com 


4. CILANTRO in SALAD! 

In the grocery store this week I purchased some fresh Cilantro, which I chopped and put in a bowl in my refrigerator.  Well on Tuesday evening when I made Rosemary Chicken salad for dinner, I accidentally put a huge hand full on top; since it was chopped so fine that I couldn' pick it out so I just blessed the salad with my standard dressing and chowed down.  OMG!!!!! YES THE FLAVOR WAS AMAZING.  I craved salad all week based on that new find.






5. PureBloggers.com

While searching my site stats I noticed I have been getting 7% of my traffic hits from a site called PureBloggers.com.  Curious I visited the site, signed up and even have made a few friends.  Since signing up traffic to my site sourced from PureBloggers.com has gone from 7% to 22% that's pretty good since I am only active on there about once weekly.  If you have a blog, check them out, here is the link www.purebloggers.com

6. Bravo Cucina Italiana Chopped Salad Recipe!

My favorite restaurant salad is at Bravo Cucina Italiana, but the nearest location is 20 miles from my house so I do not go there often.  But when I do a double order of this salad is always my fare.  Lucky for me a Pam a friend in a the My Fox Detroit Weight Loss Challenge Posted the Recipe.  And now I am super duper excited to try to make this at home!



I hope you like my finds, hey try one of these, or if you have something cool to share post in the comments!  You can even post anonymously!

Xoxo,

BG!

I Just Want to Be Naked! : (The Half of It)

I just want to be NAKED!  That's right dammit butt booty NAKED!  I want to wear a Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weenie, Little Polka Dot String Bikini -- There I said it! 

Yet sadly after a year of lifestyle change, healthier eating habits, and a regular (sometimes skipping a few) work out routine; I am a Size 12.  Glancing in the mirror and realizing that I am not yet ready to bear my all for the world to see, I feel like I have been on a hamster wheel for the past almost year!  Last May (2011) when I declared Jihad on my Fat Ass I was a size 24 Plus Women's!  That's like really obese for me standing at a mere 5'0 Tall!  Today I am a Size 12 Average. And that is just not good enough!

I do not yet have a six pack stomach.  Hell, I still have a few love handles left, and a mound of belly fat to disarm and annihilate. Last July (2011) I remember thinking: "When I am a size 12 I will be the perfect beach body size."  Well boy oh boy, was I ever WRONG!  Here I stand before myself 11 months later at a size 12 and I am still not yet ready to grace the beaches in a thong bikini!  Hell I still need a cover up to my knees because my oompa loompa legs do not yet have the definition I so desire.

Today as I stood in the mirror in my bare minimal wear, a.k.a. undergarments I found myself saying: "When I am a Size 6 I will be the perfect size." I do not have self image or esteem issues, as a matter of fact I look overly fabulous the way I am right now.   Well really, I think I look a helluvah lot better than I did this time last year -- ya know, in the 'beginning'.   But really I just want to be NAKED!!!

I dare not revert to bad eating habits, or feel defeated.  But really this is some serious hard work and dedication.  I generally have a hard time committing to ANYTHING long term, it's been my SERIOUS BAD HABIT forever.  But now I have been at this for a year I have Blogged, Tweeted, Facebooked, and Talked Shit ... soooooo I cannot quit.  And unless I somehow hit the lottery I still cannot afford to be Nip Tucked!

Well, FUCK TODAY!  I do feel defeated.  However, I'm not disappointed in myself because I have made a miraculous turn around.  I am healthier, and aside from a few moments of humane weakness I eat to live not live to eat.  I even work out at a Gym, in Public nonetheless.  But I still feel thwarted by this itsy bitsy teeny weeny little polka dot string bikini!

 FUCK YOU FAT!

Xoxo, 

BG

My Anti-Smart List : Counting Calories, is DUMB!

I think counting calories is PLUM DUMB!  What kind of lifestyle change is counting calories?  How does one do a calculation each time they consume sustenance?  Do these people walk around with a calorie journal, scientific calculator and spreadsheet? 

I have heard this remark recently:  "I only ate 825 calories today."  This from a young lady who weighs approx. 325lbs!  Okay fellow lifestyle changers, just reading it I am sure you are shaking your head thinking, "that's stupid", I know I am as I type.

Foremost, what is a Calorie?   As defined by the Medical Dictionary a Calorie is A unit of energy-producing potential supplied by food and released upon oxidation by the body. And as we all learned (at least I hope you learned in 4th grade science); Oxidation as a chemical reaction.  As calorie counters say "burning calories" is when a food (ion in this case) gives up electrons when combined with oxygen (like when food enters your body.) Now we all know we need the energy (calories) from food to
survive.  Consuming fewer calories in theory can lead to short term weight loss, subsequently causing a calorie counter to plateau very quickly, then resulting in ultimate weight regain. 

Calorie counting is NOT a Lifestyle change!  As a matter of fact if you have quite a bit of weight you are trying to lose and keep off counting calories will more than likely just result in a see-saw of weight loss / gain leaving.  Thus the Calorie Counter will feel defeated, and ultimately they will oust the calorie counting and gain the lost weight back and then some!  It's the same vicious circle over, and over, and over again!  

7 Reasons Counting Calories is on my ANTI-SMART list of Things to do! 

1.  Like Suicide its a Temporary Solution to a Permanent Problem.

2. The amount of calories a person needs each day is not constant. It largely depends on the amount of physical, emotional and mental activity in which the person is engaged. Keep in mind stress, anxiety or physical strain, increase the amount of calories you burn; and this is much higher than normal. (Hey Calorie Counters, don't go looking for stressful situations just so you can ingest more calories)

3.  Food Labeling Regulators are just guessing!  The calorie count listed on a food label or chart is an estimation based on averages.  Food labeling regulators know any one piece or package of food can have more or fewer calories than a label or calorie chart says; they actually allow a 20% difference in calories up or down from what's listed on the label (hmmm how do you do that equation?)
 
4. There is NO WAY TO KNOW EXACTLY HOW MANY CALORIES YOU ARE EATING!  Your Calorie Math does not equal your body's Digestive Math.  Everyone digests and absorbs food differently.  We don't actually absorb the number of calories listed on the label for a serving of food.   Therefore, without knowing exactly how your body digests each molecule of food you consume you really never know how many calories you are consuming.

5. Its Metabolism Murder!  Calorie restriction is short lived because consistent calorie restriction programs fight against your metabolism.  These programs your force body to store more fat to use for energy.  In short your body ends up confused by your label counting and math.

6. Counting calories and limiting the variety of products you consume may even be harmful to your health.

7. A.K.A. The Starvation Diet.  Any initial weight loss is mostly water weight, and not fat loss.  Some people carry up to 40lbs of excess water weight.  So yes, you may have lost 40lbs but none of it is water; and as soon as you return to your regular portions and calories the weight plus some comes right back with it!


Okay, now Calorie Counters keep in mind different foods have different energy caloric value: Let’s suppose that a mixed fruit and nut salad contains 250 calories, and a candy bar contains the same amount. Do you think that both foods will have the same effect on you just because they have the same number of calories? UMMM NO!!!


Do not get me wrong here, I am not saying Carbohydrate intake moderation is the only Lifestyle change that is effective.  This I am not implying at all!  I will say however, this is what works best for me.  The bottom line is this:  in order to permanently lose excess pounds you must submit yourself to changing your lifestyle full circle, incorporating whatever eating habit or regime and exercise program you find most fitting.  I repeatedly say this there is no such thing as a quick fix, you must change your lifestyle. 


A great alternative to counting calories is to focus on a healthy diet and create a habit of regular exercise. These simple measures will lower your stress levels regarding calories consumption and will help you burn fat and stay healthy.


 Yupper on my Soap Box today!

Xoxo,

BG!

Moments of Vanity

That moment when you wash your hands look in the mirror and wonder "Where is the Paparazzi?"

You don't see them so you strike a pose and leak you own photo's thePaparrazi Is Never Around When I Need Them!!!

Xoxo,

BG

Tuna, My Go To Food!

One of my most favie foods has always been Tuna Fish!  It's quick, easy and fulfilling!  And these days it seems most healthy eaters 'go to' food is Tuna Fish.   Whether used from the can or fresh, I too agree Tuna is an amazing food, that is easily complimented by a variety of ingredients.  Here are a few of my favie Tuna Fish Recipes, all take just a few moments to make:  (PS: Post your favorite recipes in the comments below, don't be shy!)

Recipe: A Light Fresh Albacore Tuna:  

    2 cans of Albacore Tuna in Water ( Bumble Bee is my preferred brand)
    2 Tsp of Mayonnaise
    4 Green Onions Diced
    1 Tsp of Dill Weed

Mix all ingredients, and serve.  Can be enjoyed with low carb bread, crackers or in my case pork rinds. *Note: can be substituted w/ Lite Mayo or Miracle Whip also depending on your tastes and dietary needs.  

Recipe: Summery Chunk White Tuna:

    2 cans of Chunk Light Tuna in Water (my preferred is Kroger Brand)
    2 Tsp of Mayonnaise
    1/2 Tsp of  Lemon Pepper 
    Handful of Sun Sprouts

Mix all ingredients, and serve.  Can be enjoyed with low carb bread, crackers or in my case pork rinds. *Note: can be substituted w/ Lite Mayo or Miracle Whip also depending on your tastes and dietary needs.  

Recipe: Packed Tuna Salad

    2 cans of Chunk Light Tuna in Water (my preferred brand is Kroger Brand)
    2 Tsp of Mayonnaise 
    2 Eggs, boiled and chopped
    1/2 - Yellow Onion - diced
    1 Tsp of Sweet Relish 

 Mix all ingredients, and serve.  Can be enjoyed with low carb bread, crackers or in my case pork rinds. *Note: can be substituted w/ Lite Mayo or Miracle Whip also depending on your tastes and dietary needs. 

 Recipe: Tuna Tacos

    1 can of Chunk Light Tuna in Water (my preferred brand is Kroger Brand)
    1 Tsp of Mayonnaise 
    1 oz of Shredded Lettuce (I chop my own Romaine use what you like)
    1 oz of Shredded Cheddar Cheese 
    1 Tsp of Guacamole 
    1/2 Tsp of Salsa (Try the Frog Brand yummm)
    2 Taco Shells

Mix Tuna and Mayo, spread in Taco Shell, then top w/ remaining ingredients. Enjoy! *Note: can be substituted w/ Lite Mayo or Miracle Whip also depending on your tastes and dietary needs. 

 PS: Post your favorite recipes in the comments below, don't be shy!

Xoxo,

BG!