Home At Last!

All is right with the world again.

After a harrowing day of severe storms, rescheduled flights and having to literally run from one terminal to another to make a connecting flight in Chicago,  I made it home Wednesday night.  My luggage made it home Thursday evening.  But better late than never, right?  🙂

I spent Thursday, Friday and part of Saturday overseeing the set up and opening of our new offices that are taking over for the New York offices.  I’m happy to say that we are up and functioning and ready for business to begin on Monday.

So now, at long last, I’m ready to start posting here again.

Look for the first post sometime this evening or in the morning.  I do hope that you’ll come back and check it out.  It’s a “true confession” that I think some of you may be able to relate to.

Thanks for your patience while I was traveling and working.

Brian

Homeward Bound: Farewell to New York

I’m going home today.

I’ve been in New York since April 16 training for a new job.  I went home a couple of times during that time frame, but haven’t been home since Memorial Day weekend.

Naturally, I am bouncing off the walls with excitement about being with my family and sleeping in my own bed again.  But truth be told,  I’m also experiencing a sense of loss as well; I have come to truly love New York in all of her incredible glory.  New York is, without a doubt, the greatest place I have ever been to.  I will miss the hustle and bustle of Mid-town Manhattan, the electric beauty of Times Square, the serenity of Central Park, the bargains in Chinatown, shopping in the Village, the warmth of the Upper West Side, the current renaissance in Harlem;  the list goes on and on.

When I flew into New York on April 15th/April 16th, I flew  in to a Nor’easter storm, the worst one in 25 years.  Fittingly enough, as I leave today it’s raining again.  🙂

My postings will be hit and miss over the next couple of days.  I will be traveling, then overseeing the opening of a new office.  Please be patient with me until things get settled down a little.  I will be continuing posting info related to weight loss, along with a surprise or two.

See you in a couple of days.

Brian

Yet Another Reason to Reduce Sugar

I think that sugar, in it’s many forms, is one of the biggest causes of weight gain and obesity. It’s in nearly every bit of processed food you put in your mouth. Heck, take a look at the sugar content in the SALADS at fast food places; you’ll be shocked.

And now, there’s another reason why you should be cutting your intake: too much sugar may contribute to vision loss!

In a study published by The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition,  it was noted that a diet high in refined sugar has been linked to age-related macular degeneration (AMD).  This condition is known to affect the retina and affect your vision.  The study found that the higher in refined sugar your diet is, the greater the chance that you could suffer from AMD.  Conversely, the study also showed that those who ate a lot of fruits, veggies and other low-glycemic foods were found to have lower risk for AMD.

Hmmm…interesting.  Eat a lot of sugar and possibly hurt your vision, or eat healthier, protect your eyes AND lose weight.  What choice are you going to make?

Quick & Easy Steak Salad Recipe — Perfect for Sweltering Summer Days

Oh man, fire up the grill and get ready for your taste buds to start singing.  🙂

If you’re looking for a quick and tasty recipe to feed yourself and your family on these summer days when it’s too hot to cook in the kitchen, here’s one you’re going to want to try.  Not only is this dish tasty, it’s perfect for your weight loss goals; a portion of it is less than 300 calories!

Steak Salad with Tomatoes, Peppers, Sweet Onions and Balsamic Vinaigrette

This recipe serves:

4

Preparation time : 20 minutes
Cooking time : 15 minutes
Ingredients

For the balsamic vinaigrette:
1 tablespoon finely chopped shallots
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
salt to taste
freshly ground black pepper

For the grilled steak:
2 top sirloin steaks, about 8 ounces each

For the green salad:
8 cups romaine lettuce, washed and torn into bite-sized pieces
2 cups cherry tomatoes, rinsed
1 green bell pepper stemmed, seeded and diced
1/2 cup thinly sliced Vidalia onion
4 small crusty rolls

Cooking Instructions
For the balsamic vinaigrette:
1. Place the shallots and vinegar in a small mixing bowl and whisk to combine. Continue whisking and slowly add the olive oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
(This can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.)

For the grilled steak:
1. Preheat the grill to medium-high.

2. Season the steaks with salt and pepper.

3. Grill the steaks on both sides until it is cooked through, about 6 minutes per side, depending on the thickness. Transfer the steaks to a cutting board to rest.
(The steak can be grilled in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.)

For the green salad:
1. Slice the steaks into strips and place them in a mixing bowl. Add the tomatoes, bell pepper and onion slices and half of the balsamic vinaigrette.

2. Place the romaine lettuce in a separate salad bowl and toss it with the remaining vinaigrette. Arrange the steak, tomato, bell pepper and onion mixture on top. Serve with a roll.

Nutrition Facts Serving Size about 3 ounces of cooked steak with 2 cups of salad Amount Per Serving Calories 283 Protein 29 g Total Carbohydrate 19 g Dietary Fiber 3 g Soluble Fiber 1 g Insoluble Fiber 2 g Sugar 4 g Total Fat 11 g Saturated Fat 3 g

Recipe courtesy of the American Council on Exercise.

10 Day Countdown to Fitness: Day 10

Welcome to Day 10 of our 10 Day Countdown to fitness!

I’m assuming that you have done the previous assignments from the first 9 days of the Countdown. If not, PLEASE go back and do them. They’re essential parts of this whole process. If you are serious about using the 10 days to jump start exercising for weight loss, you will not get the long term results you want and deserve without doing the previous assignments. If you skipped over them, or if this is the first post you’re reading in this 10 day series, you can find Day 1 here.

Congratulations for making it to the end of the 10 Day Countdown to Fitness.  I hope that you’ve followed each step as it’s been presented to you.  If you haven’t, you can go start this 10 day challenge any time.  You’ll find it most effective if you start at Step 1 and actually do all the activities recommended.

As far as Day 10…it’s a well deserved day of rest.  You absolutely need to have days off from exercising on occasion.  Personally, I exercise 6 days a week, and on Sunday I totally relax.  So today, I want you to kick back, relax, and congratulate yourself on the great effort you’ve put forth over the last 10 days.  If you’ve taken this seriously, you have turned your body into a fat burning machine.  Reduce sugar, reduce portions, reduce processed food in addition tot he exercise you’re doing and you’ll have the body and fitness level you’ve always dreamed of.

On the first day, you made a list of fitness activities that you’d like to try.  Keep this handy, and be sure to start doing things on the list. It’s important to have FUN;  too many people lose track of the fact that exercising and fitness should make us feel good and be fun.

Congratulations again on all you have accomplished.  You should be proud.

10 Day Countdown to Fitness: Day 9

Welcome to Day 9 of our 10 Day Countdown to fitness!

I’m assuming that you have done the previous assignments from the first 8 days of the Countdown. If not, PLEASE go back and do them. They’re essential parts of this whole process. If you are serious about using the 10 days to jump start exercising for weight loss, you will not get the long term results you want and deserve without doing the previous assignments. If you skipped over them, or if this is the first post you’re reading in this 10 day series, you can find Day 1 here.

For day 9, we’re going to once again use our time in front of the TV  to lose some weight and get fit!  Beginning today, I want you to start taking an exercise break while watching TV in the evening.  During the first commercial break, hit the floor and do as many push ups as you can until the show resumes.  IT DOES NOT MATTER HOW MANY YOU CAN OR CAN NOT DO! Just do the best you can, and that’s good enough.  🙂

When the next commercial break begins, stand up and do some squats.  Again, it doesn’t matter how many you can do; just do the best you can until your show resumes.

For the next commercial break, hit the floor and do crunches.  Do as many as you can during the commercial.  And again, it doesn’t matter how many you can do.  Do what you can, and be proud of the fact that you’re exercising!

Congratulations…you have just completed a full body work out.  Do this once a day, and you will quickly see and feel many changes in your body.

If you have kids, I’d suggest getting them involved in doing this with you.  It’s a great way to start building the exercise habit in them, and you will have fun as well.

See you tomorrow for the last day in our Countdown!

10 Day Countdown to Fitness: Day 8

Welcome to Day 8 of our 10 Day Countdown to fitness!

I’m assuming that you have done the previous assignments from the first 7 days of the Countdown. If not, PLEASE go back and do them. They’re essential parts of this whole process. If you are serious about using the 10 days to jump start exercising for weight loss, you will not get the long term results you want and deserve without doing the previous assignments. If you skipped over them, or if this is the first post you’re reading in this 10 day series, you can find Day 1 here.

Starting today, and continuing for at least the next 30 days, I want you to make a commitment with a friend, child, spouse, parent, work colleague, anybody you chose to go out and take a quick walk.  Do this twice a week.  It can be the same person all the time or a different person every time; it doesn’t matter who it is, just that you get out and move with someone.

This should be a fun, relaxing, and gentle stroll, NOT a full-speed-ahead-heart-pumping-sweat-dripping effort.  Take the time to enjoy it!

In addition to helping you lose weight and get fit, you’ll find that this simple activity can help build the relationships you have with people you cherish.

See you tomorrow for Day 9.

10 Day Countdown to Fitness: Day 7

Welcome to Day 7of our 10 Day Countdown to fitness!

I’m assuming that you have done the previous assignments from the first 6days of the Countdown. If not, PLEASE go back and do them. They’re essential parts of this whole process. If you are serious about using the 10 days to jump start exercising for weight loss, you will not get the long term results you want and deserve without doing the previous assignments. If you skipped over them, or if this is the first post you’re reading in this 10 day series, you can find Day 1 here.

The assignment for Day 7 of the Countdown is pretty easy. I want you to start developing the habit of using the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator whenever you have the chance. This is another great way to get in a little extra movement without actually having to work out.

And yes, chances are this won’t add a whole lot of fat burning to your day.  But remember, this whole 10 Day Countdown has a cumulative effect on you.  You have been gradually adding little things to your day that, when added up, will have the fat dripping off of you while increasing your overall fitness level.

See you tomorrow for Day 8.

10 Day Countdown to Fitness: Day 6

Welcome to  Day 6 of our 10 Day Countdown to fitness!

I’m assuming that you have done the previous assignments from the first 5 days of the Countdown. If not, PLEASE go back and do them. They’re essential parts of this whole process. If you are serious about using the 10 days to jump start exercising for weight loss, you will not get the long term results you want and deserve without doing the previous assignments. If you skipped over them, or if this is the first post you’re reading in this 10 day series, you can find Day 1 here.

Today, I want you to head to your nearest sporting goods store or  major chain mart and buy yourself a pedometer.  A pedometer is a cool little measuring device that’s used to record the number of steps taken while your walking.  They’re inexpensive; you should be able to pick one up just a couple of bucks.

Once you pick it up, start wearing it and using it to measure the number of steps you are taking every day.  It’s actually kind of exciting to track your steps, and then finding yourself taking extra little walks just to increase the number of steps!

Set a goal of 10,000 steps a day.  You’ll probably have to work up to that many steps over time, but there’s plenty of places that will help you figure out how to do it.  And it will pay off for you in pounds lost!

But for now, just start paying attention to how many steps you’re taking, and take a few extra steps when you think of it.

See you tomorrow for Day 7 of the Countdown.

10 Day Countdown to Fitness: Day 5

Welcome to Day 5 of our 10 Day Countdown to Fitness!

I’m assuming that you have done the previous assignments from the first 4 days of the Countdown. If not, PLEASE go back and do them. They’re essential parts of this whole process. If you are serious about using the 10 days to jump start exercising for weight loss, you will not get the long term results you want and deserve without doing the previous assignments. If you skipped over them, or if this is the first post you’re reading in this 10 day series, you can find Day 1 here.

Starting today, I want you to park your car at least 10 minutes away from every place you’re going.  That way, you’re going to get an extra 10 minutes of walking to your destination, and an extra 10 minutes  of walking back to your car.  Doesn’t matter where you’re headed; church, school, work, shopping, wherever.  Park 10 minutes away and enjoy a little movement.  Remember, this is in addition to the other activities you’ve started in the previous days of the Countdown.  Now, the pace of this extra little walk does NOT have to be fast.  By all means, make it a leisurely stroll for the sheer pleasure of it.

If you take the subway or the bus to get around, don’t think this doesn’t apply to you!  Just get off a few stops before your destination and start walking.   🙂

You’re going to find that these extra little movements that you’re starting to make are going to rev up your metabolism like crazy.  If you reduce sugar, reduce processed foods, reduce portion size and cover 2/3 of your plate with fruits and veggies at the same time you’re doing this Countdown,  get ready to buy smaller size clothes in a couple of weeks!

See you tomorrow for Day 6.