Motivational Letters

We complicate our thoughts way too often. If we could follow some basic rules, and over time refine them, then we wouldn’t become so easily discouraged. From a health perspective, the first rule is to avoid simple sugars. Anything with fructose in it is especially harmful. Cakes, cookies, chips, candies - yes, all those things that taste so good. However, they are directly inflammatory to just about every system in our body and are probably the main mechanism leading to inflammation of our arteries, which results in build-up of plaque. Processed food. Most food in a box is highly processed [...]

I'm not sure I believe in waiting for January 1st to set new goals and make new resolutions. When it comes to making goals and changing lifestyle habits, it's important to aim for daily re-assessment of what we want to change. (Or at least, the attempt should occur on a daily basis). Personally, I'm not always successful at this, but at least it keeps my awareness of what I want to accomplish front and center. Recently, as I came off a long journey of training and competition, my desire to exercise waned as did my vigilance of food. Weight has [...]

Movement is lacking for most of us. We are told to exercise, but we feel compromised by time. Worse, we limit our movement because of ‘fatigue’. Doing something is much much better than nothing! 1. Buy an exercise ball on Amazon and sit on it for one TV program (it will force you to stabilize your core as it works on your balance). 2. During commercials stand up and do 10 or 15 simple squats (not deep-don’t hurt your knees). 3. In the kitchen, place your hands on the counter (while waiting for something to boil or cook), put your [...]

As I continue with my own attempts at improving percent body fat (this is health related, not appearance), I am frustrated with my own lack of progress. Having said that, I am aware of what I am doing wrong, but I admit I have been unwilling to change. I was eating very little most of the day (pseudo fasting) but allowing myself inappropriate foods (excess carbohydrates) in the evening. I was allowing permission thoughts to enter; meaning, I felt because I had fasted all day long, it was ok to have extra snacks in the evening. Well, nothing happened of [...]

“Don’t eat for winter” is the title of a book by Cian Foley, that I came upon while listening to a ‘Fat Emperor’ podcast with Ivor Cummins. My interest grew the more I listened, a disclaimer - I haven’t yet read the book, but I will. The reason I became so fascinated, is that each year at this time of year, I see many patients struggling with their eating habits and choice of food. I have blamed it on the weather and lack of sunlight, and even gave a nod to possible shifting of our metabolisms for winter (this is [...]