Like many people, I have committed to focus more on personal health in the new year. I don’t know if this ever happened to you, but about 3 years ago, my commitment to working out and enjoying healthful eating began to deteriorate. The result: gain of 30+ pounds and reduced strength and flexibility.
So here is what I am doing now – hopefully this will inspire you a bit, since we’re all a bit competitive right? And you can’t have me get all trim, strong, and flexible while leaving you behind on the couch – right???
The most drastic, at least for many of you, is that I am returning to my vegan meal plan. Now if you look at me, you would not think me the type. And if you know my background (Italian family and all) you would this this is impossible – but it isn’t. I naturally love noodles, rice, oatmeal, potatoes and other starches that are the base of this. And I like veggies and love fruits. I enjoy legumes (beans) and things like bean and rice burritos from Felipe’s in Harvard Square, lentil soup, Pasta y Fagioli (pasta fazoooooooooool as we call it in my family – no one can explain why some Italians do this, can you?), and other bean/carb/veggie combos. I was a consistent vegan from 1998-2003 and I was thin and strong.
I know what you’re thinking – ‘where do you get your protein?” When did everyone become a nutritionist by the way? While a vegan, I was squatted 400 pounds 3 times, deadlifted 335lbs and benched 250. I think my muscles were building from somewhere. If you’d like to comment on that go ahead, but first consult Dr John McDougall’s website since I enjoy his 30+ years of research on this:
For exercise, I will go to the gym 3 days a week or more – 20 minutes cardio, 20 minutes of deep stretch and 30 minutes of weights. I also learned a group of good stretch/back strengthening exercises from a PT trainer in 2006 (I would recommend strongly visiting a trainer before doing anything – this is not a liability disclosure as much as I think they can save you time, pain, and aggravation).
The other “fun” activity will be running stairs once a week. Running bores me tremendously, but stairs add excitement to this routine. I will also go back to roller hockey 1 or 2 times a week when the snow melts.
The plan is to lose 25 pounds and regain high levels of strength – but this time using less heavy weights and more control weights and body weight exercises. What will you do this year? I’m curious.
Oh and on a totally different subject, a site I subscribe to, Leimberg Services (a great service if you are in my business – adds a lot of value to the advice you provide clients in my opinion) recommended a cool site that you sign on to stop Mail Catalogs from coming to your house. Here it is:
Hope that helps! Have a good night!
Chris G
