the road ahead

1) I read a lot of blogs (like Hayley’s), Men’s Health magazines, Livestrong.com articles, and books like the Abs Diet, and general conversations with healthy people, to name a few sources...also, with my recent health concerns and family genes, I had to make it a priority to understand it!!

2) I track everything I eat via the Livestrong.com DailyPlate application.  This way I know what I am consuming and how much I am burning.  Then by looking at my historical consumption information via the application, I then know precisely what I need to add or remove from my intake (do I dare call it a diet?!) based on my goals, from both a nutritional and fitness standpoint.

3) Since I moved down to Florida and tuned in my diet and fitness, I have since lost 20lbs since Jan 1!!!  I know, I look thin to begin with but just know how to hide it per se. My cholesterol in Dec 2009: LDL (bad cholesterol), HDL (good cholesterol), and Triglyceride (another bad) were 201, 55, 95, respectively, with total cholesterol of 275 and as of Feb 19 it was 89, 51, 49 with a total of 150.  Cholesterol level between 150 -200 is normal; anything higher than 200 is considered high risk for things like heart disease and or stroke.  However, the high cholesterol was probably due to taking more fish oil (good cholesterol) than needed per day as told by a “trainer” which in turn making my body toxic and eventually storing them as bad cholesterol, i.e. too much of a good thing is bad (see link below, which was also validated by my doctor).  My hypertension/high blood pressure is normal as well now.  My goal is to eventually get off those prescription drugs.  I am down to half doses now due to my lifestyle change.  I am way too young to be dependent on drugs.  After I reach my weight goal (I’m close), I will simply maintain and perhaps bulk up (add muscle without fat) and not be so anal in going over my allotted amount and have a day of cheating here and there.  And, perhaps, have a glass of wine a week…been sober since Nov 21, 2009.

4) In conclusion, I recommend that you do your due diligence and know for yourself through trail and error before taking blogs, advices, etc. wholeheartedly.  What might work for one person might not work for you and your lifestyle.  Trainers are sometimes wrong in their philosophy on healthy living as well; some are more radical than others, i.e., my situation with the fish oil and training to the point of puking is probably not a good thing.  I am now to the point where I have just tons of energy through out the day and when I sleep, I sleep, and not only do I look healthy, I FEEL healthy now!!  As you can see, I am pretty passionate about this subject now.