The Official Health and Fitness Thread

[hockeyfan1]

anyone focuse on trying to eat more alkaline foods?

Consuming more alkalinic foods rather acidifying foods is what's really best for our health, as it's been a well-known fact among the alternative medicine crowd that an alkalinity keeps disease at bay, preventing the worst from happening.  Not completely foolproof, but one has a much better chance of preventing the worst diseases such as cancer from invading our cells.

Many of the foods people eat -- beef, pork, all meats practically, as well as refined foods (sugar!), carbohydrates, certain types of refined oils, etc., -- are acidifying.  It doesn't mean we should stay away from beef, for example but balance it out with proper vegetables (juicing is really best), as well as eating fruits such as almost all the berries (blueberry, blackberry, boissonberry, goodebverry, cranberry, etc., etc.,).  Be aware that some fruits, such as cranberry may cone under the acidifying category, but, once eaten, they become alkalyzing in the body.

The body's PH balance should be between 7.5 (ideal) and 8.0 (excellent).  At  a PH of 8.5, the body begins to 'reverse' ailments though one should not be at 8.5 for too long.  Too much alkalinity is not too good. 

If I can, later, I'll see if I can post a chart showcasing all the alkalyzing/acidifying foods.  I have it bookmarked on my computer as a reference to remind myself of what to eat more of, and what to eat less of.  I have a weak spot for cheese (acidifying) so it's important that I balance out my diet with the proper foods.  (Sigh Food is a science, just like our bodies are!

 

[Guru Tugginmypuddah]

Be aware that some fruits, such as cranberry may cone under the acidifying category, but, once eaten, they become alkalyzing in the body.

Lemons are the same way, they are acidic, but once ingested they turn alkaline in the body.

Also, one of the most acidifying things is coffee, and I love coffee.  :'(

 

[hockeyfan1]

An eye-opener....


http://www.lef.org/news/LefDailyNews.htm?NewsID=12172&Section=Disease

 

[hockeyfan1]

Here is a chart explaining all the alkaline/acidic foods.  Note, it isn't always that an acidic food is troublesome for your body, just that it should be combined with an alkalyzing food to balance out the diet and maintain the body's proper PH.

http://www.rense.com/1.mpicons/acidalka.htm

 

[hockeyfan1]

An alternative to the Teflon may be titanium, or perhaps those "Orgreenic" pans as seen on the infomercial.  Of course, as most top chefs know stainless steel remains the better material to use.  Only problem is food has a tendency to 'stick', otherwise, it makes for a much halthier cooking without the toxicity associated with Teflon.

What about copper or aluminum? I love the look of copper.

Here is the lowdown on aluminum:

Many people still have aluminium cookware ? or if they do not have it in their own kitchen, it may be used in the kitchen of their local cafe or restaurant.  The use of aluminum cookware should be avoided, because of the aluminium compounds it leaches into the food can have detrimental effects on general health and fertility ? but because of the association between aluminium toxicity and Alzheimer?s disease.

Source:  The New Zealand Journal of Natural Medicine Issue #4

 

[TheMightyOdin]

I am on a run of four months without breaking my diet at all. 

 

[hockeyfan1]

An alternative to the Teflon may be titanium, or perhaps those "Orgreenic" pans as seen on the infomercial.  Of course, as most top chefs know stainless steel remains the better material to use.  Only problem is food has a tendency to 'stick', otherwise, it makes for a much halthier cooking without the toxicity associated with Teflon.

What about copper or aluminum? I love the look of copper.

Cast iron is pretty much all we use in the house.

Q. Is there a difference between copper pots and pans and the regular stainless steel variety?
A. When it comes to cookware and bakeware, there are two main types of materials to consider. Nonreactive metals such as stainless steel have no negative reaction to the foods cooked in them, while reactive metals such as aluminum, copper, and cast iron react to certain types of foods, especially those that are acidic. These foods may become discolored or taste metallic when cooked in pots made of such materials.

Stainless steel has many advantages: Besides being nonreactive, it doesn't corrode, is easy to clean, and doesn't scratch or dent easily. One major downside, however, is that it doesn't conduct heat well.

Copper, although more expensive than stainless steel, is preferred by many culinary professionals for its sturdiness and excellent heat conductivity. Because of its reactive nature -- which can result in toxic reactions with acidic ingredients.... Copper's disadvantages include a surface that is not nonstick, must be polished, and needs to be relined about every 10 years.

..cast iron skillets, long hailed for their even heat conduction, also require special care; they must be seasoned before using, then washed, dried, and oiled after every use.

Enamel-covered cast iron varieties are a good investment; they'll hold in heat and cook evenly...

Source:  TLC:  Questions about pots & pans

Basically, stainless steel and cast iron seem to be the best materials to use, with copper a not too distant third. 

If using cast iron, one needs to buy a good quality pan, and not just something cheap.  I used to use a cast-iron skillet in the past, and found it needed seasoning every now and then.  Of course, eventually, it rusted (dangerous! throw out!)...and yes, it does react with certain types of foods.  There are drawbacks.

Copper is very popular.  Some people prefer using copper pots, but again, they may not go well with all foods. 

A mix of stainless steel, copper, cast iron, and enamel pots & pans is worthy.  Again, avoid Teflon (non-stick) and aluminum.

 

[maplesyrup]

I am on a run of four months without breaking my diet at all.

Good for you... Remember, you are allowed the odd guilt free vacation day.

 

[Corn Flake]

Good luck with it... The "how" will become easy enough as soon as you completely accept the "why."

I really dunno.  I have 'tried' to quit numerous times, using every single crutch there is, nico patch, gum, laser, hypno.

There is a part of me that LOVES to smoke.  There is another part of me that is SO sick of it.

I tried all the magic... Once I completely understood it was destroying me (oh, and I almost drowned at Wasaga in front of my wife and kids because I was so out of shape from it) quitting was relatively easy. The "why" was as plain as day... The "how" was cold turkey.

It's just quality of life thing... The curtain just needs to lift for you and once it does, quitting will be a snap. - Trust me.     

Read this, then quit cold turkey:

http://www.amazon.com/Easy-Way-Stop-Smoking-Non-Smokers/dp/1402718616

Worked for me.  3 years quit now.

 

[TheMightyOdin]

I am on a run of four months without breaking my diet at all.

Good for you... Remember, you are allowed the odd guilt free vacation day.

To be honest I like my diet more than cheat meals. It's not restrictive in taste or quantity. I average between 3000 and 3500 calories a day. My grocery bill is the only down side.

I do still have treats but  after I went a month without, for no reason really, I wondered how far I could go. Getting through Christmas was the biggest challenge but really not that tough.

I've had thoughts of challenging myself to go a full year but an ice cream cone or a cold beer in the hot summer sunshine is too good to pass up sometimes.

 

[Bender]

I am on a run of four months without breaking my diet at all.

Good for you... Remember, you are allowed the odd guilt free vacation day.

To be honest I like my diet more than cheat meals. It's not restrictive in taste or quantity. I average between 3000 and 3500 calories a day. My grocery bill is the only down side.

I do still have treats but  after I went a month without, for no reason really, I wondered how far I could go. Getting through Christmas was the biggest challenge but really not that tough.

I've had thoughts of challenging myself to go a full year but an ice cream cone or a cold beer in the hot summer sunshine is too good to pass up sometimes.

I'm looking to begin gaining muscle mass, but I'm not really sure how to go about it. I don't really want to bulk up, I just want to look lean and relatively muscular. I'm working on it right now going to the gym, but it's really hard to see results so far.

I started on the elliptical and push my heart rate to 158 for a good 40 mins 3-4 times per week in cardio as well.

I just fear if I increase my caloric intake I won't be burning enough calories to burn fat. Are there any resources that give you a training regimen to follow if you're a newb trying to put on some muscle and get leaner and healthier?

 

[donkeyy0]

I am on a run of four months without breaking my diet at all.

Good for you... Remember, you are allowed the odd guilt free vacation day.

To be honest I like my diet more than cheat meals. It's not restrictive in taste or quantity. I average between 3000 and 3500 calories a day. My grocery bill is the only down side.

I do still have treats but  after I went a month without, for no reason really, I wondered how far I could go. Getting through Christmas was the biggest challenge but really not that tough.

I've had thoughts of challenging myself to go a full year but an ice cream cone or a cold beer in the hot summer sunshine is too good to pass up sometimes.

I'm looking to begin gaining muscle mass, but I'm not really sure how to go about it. I don't really want to bulk up, I just want to look lean and relatively muscular. I'm working on it right now going to the gym, but it's really hard to see results so far.

I started on the elliptical and push my heart rate to 158 for a good 40 mins 3-4 times per week in cardio as well.

I just fear if I increase my caloric intake I won't be burning enough calories to burn fat. Are there any resources that give you a training regimen to follow if you're a newb trying to put on some muscle and get leaner and healthier?

In about a year I went from 140lbs and 14% body fat to 145 and 10% body fat. I would say if you want to look "strong" without being "big". Swim.

I would also suggest targeting complex muscle groups. Stuff like biceps curls are fun, and your arms will look great immediately after due to swelling, but if you want just to look generally "stronger" without getting much "bigger" you want to do free weight chest press, squats, dead lifts...the exercises that nobody likes doing pretty much.

Swimming helps to keep your waist lean and your back strong. Gives you that "V" look.

Honestly, the big thing though for me is something that I don't think really makes much sense. VISUALIZE gains. WANT to get stronger. I've seen so many people who are bigger/stronger/leaner/whatever than me, but they complain and moan the entire workout. And now...I'm lifting way more than them. I'm sure there's no like scientific proof that enthusiasm actually leads to more muscle gains, but it sure as heck seems like it to me judging by my own personal experiences.

Also, I'd like to just pose a general question...WHY IS IT SO HARD TO GAIN WEIGHT?

 

[The Red Polar Bear]

Also, I'd like to just pose a general question...WHY IS IT SO HARD TO GAIN WEIGHT?

Oh. You're THAT guy.

*glares*

 

[TheMightyOdin]

Hey Bender, one of the more contested issues in the bodybuilding world is if it's possible to burn fat AND build lean muscle mass at the same time. I say that it is but you'll find arguments for both sides.

I don't have a resource for you but based on your post I'm guessing you might be interested in a plan that focused on using your own body weight as resistance. Things like push ups, chin ups for your upper body and squats, lunges etc for your lower body. These workouts can be grueling, or easy and low impact. Have you ever done burpees? Man do they suck, but they work.

I get away with eating as much as I do because I have 9 workouts in 6 days. Im just fueling the machine.

 

[Bender]

I am on a run of four months without breaking my diet at all.

Good for you... Remember, you are allowed the odd guilt free vacation day.

To be honest I like my diet more than cheat meals. It's not restrictive in taste or quantity. I average between 3000 and 3500 calories a day. My grocery bill is the only down side.

I do still have treats but  after I went a month without, for no reason really, I wondered how far I could go. Getting through Christmas was the biggest challenge but really not that tough.

I've had thoughts of challenging myself to go a full year but an ice cream cone or a cold beer in the hot summer sunshine is too good to pass up sometimes.

I'm looking to begin gaining muscle mass, but I'm not really sure how to go about it. I don't really want to bulk up, I just want to look lean and relatively muscular. I'm working on it right now going to the gym, but it's really hard to see results so far.

I started on the elliptical and push my heart rate to 158 for a good 40 mins 3-4 times per week in cardio as well.

I just fear if I increase my caloric intake I won't be burning enough calories to burn fat. Are there any resources that give you a training regimen to follow if you're a newb trying to put on some muscle and get leaner and healthier?

In about a year I went from 140lbs and 14% body fat to 145 and 10% body fat. I would say if you want to look "strong" without being "big". Swim.

I would also suggest targeting complex muscle groups. Stuff like biceps curls are fun, and your arms will look great immediately after due to swelling, but if you want just to look generally "stronger" without getting much "bigger" you want to do free weight chest press, squats, dead lifts...the exercises that nobody likes doing pretty much.

Swimming helps to keep your waist lean and your back strong. Gives you that "V" look.

Honestly, the big thing though for me is something that I don't think really makes much sense. VISUALIZE gains. WANT to get stronger. I've seen so many people who are bigger/stronger/leaner/whatever than me, but they complain and moan the entire workout. And now...I'm lifting way more than them. I'm sure there's no like scientific proof that enthusiasm actually leads to more muscle gains, but it sure as heck seems like it to me judging by my own personal experiences.

Also, I'd like to just pose a general question...WHY IS IT SO HARD TO GAIN WEIGHT?

Maybe you've got Jonas Gustavsson syndrome

Some people it's hard to gain weight. I used to have a crazy metabolism and could eat anything and be a rail. Ever since I hit 22 or 23 it really started to show O__o

 

[donkeyy0]

Hey Bender, one of the more contested issues in the bodybuilding world is if it's possible to burn fat AND build lean muscle mass at the same time. I say that it is but you'll find arguments for both sides.

I don't have a resource for you but based on your post I'm guessing you might be interested in a plan that focused on using your own body weight as resistance. Things like push ups, chin ups for your upper body and squats, lunges etc for your lower body. These workouts can be grueling, or easy and low impact. Have you ever done burpees? Man do they suck, but they work.

I get away with eating as much as I do because I have 9 workouts in 6 days. Im just fueling the machine.

Hate burpees.

Pushups are great. If I can't get to the gym I do like 100-150 pushups (sets of 25 with 30 second rest) and my own little ab workout. Feels almost like a real workout.

I feel like it's great if you just want to take a maintenance day.

@Red Polar Bear...ya I'm "that" guy. Except that I've never had my weight over 145lbs and I'm almost 6 feet tall. I can't imagine anybody wishing for my body type/metabolism.

Gotta say though, most of my lifting buddies are guys who are probably 210-240lbs, and the physical/aesthetic improvements in terms of muscle and "cutness" are WAY more significant on me than the other guys. Some guys can probably lift double my weight, but you don't see any muscle at all. @Bender, if you wanna look good. If you want a 6 pack, any of that stuff...you just need to cut body fat %. Like I said in my last post I went from like 13 to 10 and the difference was HUGE. If you cut fat % then I can guarantee you'll at least look trim and fit.

 

[Bender]

Hey Bender, one of the more contested issues in the bodybuilding world is if it's possible to burn fat AND build lean muscle mass at the same time. I say that it is but you'll find arguments for both sides.

I don't have a resource for you but based on your post I'm guessing you might be interested in a plan that focused on using your own body weight as resistance. Things like push ups, chin ups for your upper body and squats, lunges etc for your lower body. These workouts can be grueling, or easy and low impact. Have you ever done burpees? Man do they suck, but they work.

I get away with eating as much as I do because I have 9 workouts in 6 days. Im just fueling the machine.

Hate burpees.

Pushups are great. If I can't get to the gym I do like 100-150 pushups (sets of 25 with 30 second rest) and my own little ab workout. Feels almost like a real workout.

I feel like it's great if you just want to take a maintenance day.

@Red Polar Bear...ya I'm "that" guy. Except that I've never had my weight over 145lbs and I'm almost 6 feet tall. I can't imagine anybody wishing for my body type/metabolism.

Gotta say though, most of my lifting buddies are guys who are probably 210-240lbs, and the physical/aesthetic improvements in terms of muscle and "cutness" are WAY more significant on me than the other guys. Some guys can probably lift double my weight, but you don't see any muscle at all. @Bender, if you wanna look good. If you want a 6 pack, any of that stuff...you just need to cut body fat %. Like I said in my last post I went from like 13 to 10 and the difference was HUGE. If you cut fat % then I can guarantee you'll at least look trim and fit.

Awesome. Yeah, I'm doing decent cardio I'd say. 3-4 days a week for 40-45 mins on the elliptical getting my heart rate to 158+ on the elliptical, working my way to the treadmill. Although I'm thinking of starting a scaled down version of Crossfit. My sister's fiance swears by it, been doing it for years and is looking both trim and pretty muscular at the same time, so I'm thinking of doing the same. Much more anaerobic exercises that aerobic.

http://www.crossfit.com/

 

[Big Daddy]

Im in. I am embarrassed to list my height and weight but as I lose I may divulge the horrendous stats.  Went to gym today, first time, walked on treadmill for 35 min then biked for 15. Lifted some weights but was jumping around to much so hit the sauna.  This has to keep going. I am determined to change my life.

Well its been a month.  Lost 14 pounds.  I can now jog for 2km continously and I walk the other 3km.  My goal is to run for 5km. I am biking 5km as well which is taking me about 21 minutes. I know the gains may seem small but Im doing it and I feel great. Still pushing weights around, only concentrating on shoulders back chest and legs. My diet has changed drastically as well. Not so much what I eat but how much and taking meal replacement shakes.  Anyway I thought Id share my progress.

 

[Big Daddy]

Also.  How focused on this BMI should I be.  Since it has deemed me obese I cant get it out of my mind.  I have a number  that Ive figured out through the BMI calculator and now set as a goal to get me to be just  overweight but if I reach that number I'll be elated.

 

[Bender]

Im in. I am embarrassed to list my height and weight but as I lose I may divulge the horrendous stats.  Went to gym today, first time, walked on treadmill for 35 min then biked for 15. Lifted some weights but was jumping around to much so hit the sauna.  This has to keep going. I am determined to change my life.

Well its been a month.  Lost 14 pounds.  I can now jog for 2km continously and I walk the other 3km.  My goal is to run for 5km. I am biking 5km as well which is taking me about 21 minutes. I know the gains may seem small but Im doing it and I feel great. Still pushing weights around, only concentrating on shoulders back chest and legs. My diet has changed drastically as well. Not so much what I eat but how much and taking meal replacement shakes.  Anyway I thought Id share my progress.

14lbs is 14lbs man! Progress is progress! Congratulations! I definitely have to do a better job of being more consistent with what I eat. If I cheat, I cheat big time. Last night my girlfriend came over and we had dinner at a Winterlicious restaurant and watched a movie... but I bought chips and macaroons. BAH! I need to get on the fresh food wagon again, nothing but meat and veggies, and hopefully cut out the carbs (damn useless calorie machines).