Hold the gravy sauce etc.

It is hard to believe but in many cases things you put on your food have higher calorie counts than the actual food.

You need to take a look at what exactly will be in or on your food......these type things are where society is getting killed on calories.

We are on a very slippery slope when we dont realize whether out to eat or at home we control our intake.....you must gain knowledge around what you are eating and the frequesncy if you want to succeed!

Age Rules!

I am starting to think the death of us is working....the un-ending stress and demands each and every day is really wearing on the work force.

When you have wifi laptops blackberries and all our other wonderful innovations....we become to be engaged in work way too much than we should.

We are being pulled into the 20 hour work day and I am learning the value of the eight hour work day......I am not sure if I have ever had one but my dad has told me about them!

The eight hour work day...what a novel concept...get the things you need done while you were at work and enjoy your family at home....is it possible in this day and age?

I am not sure it is achievable in this day and age but we need to bring it back!

I am starting to think the death of us will be the 24 hour work day we need to learn to un plug disconnect...whatever it takes to chill out...the value of a few hours of relaxation daily are immeasurable so carve out the time!

Be willing to listen

I was in some great conversation at my daughter's softball game tonight.

It came to my attention that many of us think we know best...yes I believe it is our nature!

We have to learn that if we are willing to listen to others we can learn invaluable lessons about life, food, fitness....just about everything.

If you take the time to listen to others in regard to food choices you are making or fitness routines you are trying....a few little changes or tweaks could change your life.

A few simple examples.....fruit....all of us would say is good for us....not if your blood sugar levels are high.....so not all statements can be taken at face value.....situations for all of us can make a big difference.....your age...weight.....fitness levels...all those things can come into play so be willing to listen!

Volleyball

Another old fashioned activity that can be enjoyed from young ages up through pretty old ages...you have picnic, rec and power levels so there is fun for everyone when you get into volleyball.

I was on one fo the first guy's teams back in the mid 80's and then played club in college...I have always enjoyed the sport.

My daughter is 9 and my son is 13 we were out hitting the ball around in the yard last night and I realized what a great family acitivity it canbe at all ages.

If you enjoy volleyball or basketball or golf realize they are activities and enjoy your activity time....nothing wrong with that!

Old Fashioned Activity

I think in this day and age of counting claories and getting in X amount of minutes on the tread mill or in the gym we underestimate the value of a good old fashioned active life.

I had a great weekend in between all the reports I was banging through for work!

I took the family to an amusement park, we hiked in the metro park, played volleyball with my daughter, cut the lawn, walked the dogs.

I am not saying that the treadmill and all the other things we do are not important but I am trying to put it all in context....those things are not needed nearly as much if you stay acitve when you can.

There are so many things you can do with family and friends that you will truly enjoy instead of trudging away on equipment in the basement or at a gym.

Those things are needed if they are all you have time for but if you can get some good old fashioned activity going do it you will thank yourself!

Are you cold or hot?

It is summer and that means many different things to many different people...when I was heavy I remember how I hated the summer the humidity....I just dripped sweat if I sat outside let alone if I did anything!

As the weight came off and my body transformed it has become very different....I enjoy the outdoors and many nice summer days I am cool.

Yesterday I had my kids down at the park and we were skipping rocks by a little river.

It is the end of June and we had sweatshirts and pull overs on in the middle of the day....very odd!

We started talking about the difference in being cold and hot and my son said dad it is good to be cold.....I said...what do you mean...he said when you are cold you are speeding up your metabolism when you are warm it slows down.

Now I know that it is very good to drink ice cold drinks as your body expends energy to warm the liquid which jump starts your metabolism but I had not thought about the concept in a broader sense until he brought that up with me yesterday....as we go through the summer and we go from hot to cold with air conditioners cranking...remember their can be a weight loss benefint to be cold!  :)

What a day!

Things can change in a blink of an eye so live every moment to the fullest!

Had a great time with the family at Cedar Point yesterday...a cold rainy day in June does wonders for attendance...we had fun as the weather kept the folks without season passes away so we rode the big rides with no lines....the weather wasn't great so we headed home a bit early to grab dinner.

We got home and 10 minutes later the neighbor girls were frantically ringing our door bell as they had found their mother passed out on the laundry room floor...my wife ran over to assist and she stabilized and was taken to ER.

She was admitted and still is in there...our neighbor is young and these types of things really check out what you are made of!

I am only sharing the story so you all can take inventory again and remember what is truly iportant to you day in and day out.

Whatever that is for you live life as such....as the story I shared with you can make you realize things change quickly!