Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Week 1 Recap - 5 Factor Fitness and Plant Strong Eating

Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food. -- Hippocrates, 431 B.C.

Eat Food. Not Too much. Mostly Plants.
-- Michael Pollan




Week 1 of my current experiment was beyond great. It was amazing.


I took a good hard look at what I am eating/drinking after watching both the Engine 2 Diet and Forks Over Knives Documentaries. They are available on Netflix Instant Download - and I can't recommend them enough. The Engine 2 is fun as you watch Dr. Esselstyn's son Rip Esselstyn go through the refrigerator and cupboard of two families and get rid of the foods that aren't healthy. Rip is a fire fighter who got his whole Texas fire house to start eating "Plant Strong". His father is featured in Forks Over Knives which can help Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease. Based on the groundbreaking results of a twenty-year nutritional study by Dr. Esselstyn, a preeminent researcher and clinician, his book "Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease" illustrates that a plant-based, oil-free diet can not only prevent and stop the progression of heart disease but can also reverse its effects.

The proof lies in the incredible outcomes for patients who have followed Dr. Esselstyn's program, including a number of patients in his original study who had been told by their cardiologists that they had less than a year to live. Within months of starting the program, Dr. Esselstyn's patients began to improve dramatically, and twenty years later, they remain free of symptoms.

After watching this, I made the decision to get serious about improving my health.
I am not eating animal products - meat, eggs, dairy, etc.
I am not drinking alcohol.
I am not eating (the vast majority of) processed foods.

So what is left?
All the best for you foods/drinks.

Vegetables and fruits, whole grains lots of water and of course, coffee (black) and tea (herbal)

I am working out 5 days a week - doing the Harley Pasternak 5 Factor Fitness which involves a little cardio, and Super Sets of strength training exercises. Mondays are barrel dumbbell chest curls and squats, and yesterday was the start of week 2. I am seeing and feeling a difference that is good down to my bones.

Now, if I could just bottle all this energy I have and turn off my mind and get some deep sleep...

Drinking some relaxing tea and then lights back out.

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Weekend Warrior

Saturday - woke up early
Gym 35.27 minutes on treadmill
2.12 miles
4,240 steps
450 calories burned

Then, Sunset Beach in Watsonville walked another 60 minutes

Sunday - slept in
Gym 50 minutes on treadmill
3.11 miles
6,220 steps
507 calories burned

Friday, February 17, 2012

Friday February 17th

Treadmill 2 miles
436 calories burned
Speed 4.0
Incline 10- 15
approx 4,000 steps

Bonus 18 minute walk while waiting for gym to open.