I'm happy to be posting my second entry for the Scooter Project - it means that I have a bit of motivation and a dash of determination. With these, I'm going to delve a bit into this living healthier goal of mine. My boyfriend of five years, James, is the fella who convinced me to make a change and showed me how easy it can be (yeah, he rubbed that in a bit.)
Jim gave up wheat three years ago. At the time, he had been reading articles and watching documentaries that discussed the possibility that food made of wheat can have detrimental effects to your health. James has asthma and psoriasis and according to research, cutting out wheat could potentially mitigate the issues related to these chronic illnesses. After three months of a strict no wheat diet, not only did James' asthma improve but his psoriasis practically disappeared.
Oh - and he lost 30 lbs.
Needless to say, he's stuck with it as the benefits of being able to breathe and not having red scabs all over his body definitely outweighed the temporary pleasure of inhaling a succulent honey glazed donut.
This past summer, Jim made some more changes in his life. He cut out meat significantly (we're down to 1-2 meat meals a week - I struggle a bit more...especially over the holidays), he started eating fruits and veggies like they were going out of style, consuming handfuls of vitamins daily and began his own workout routine based off of exercises he learned doing P90X. Before the Xmas break, he even stopped drinking and plans to do so again now that the party season is behind us. It's not at all surprising that he dropped another 10 lbs and he's in a happier state than he's ever been (since I've known him anyway). He also boasts of increased energy and I can attest to his improved mood (and other great benefits for us, but I'll spare you those details!)
Before James started living healthy, he was a ravenous carnivore who drank cases of beer every week and spent most of his free time in front of the TV. I exaggerate slightly, but he'd agree I'm not far off. He was happy sometimes, but not enough. It's so easy to say but health is absolutely key to happiness and personal growth - and it's amazing how many people don't care to even try. You'd be surprised at how many people, close friends and family, have knocked him down a peg or two when he tried to share what he's learned. Regardless, he's got me convinced - check out the results for yourself.
I spend more time with James than anyone, and my happiness has also improved by virtue of his own. So that's my plan - if I'm healthier, I'll be happier and this will translate into other benefits for myself as well as good deeds and compassion for others (wins for the Scooter Project!)
I'm going to start following James' regime - better food, exercise, vitamins and massive consumption of water. And I honestly can't see any issue with making this a permanent lifestyle choice.
I often wonder how people handle crazy diets where you can only eat meat one day and dill pickles the next. And exercise routines like P90X are great but they are time consuming and freaking hard! I'm not interested in taking up something that I'm bound to fail at - and I want something that is fun and sustainable. I have a friend who just started this body pump routine at home and she absolutely loves it. The results are really showing - she looks great and she's having fun! Now that's what I'm looking for!
When Jim and I first significantly cut meat out of our diets I thought it would be a nightmare. WTF would we eat? I mean, what's breakfast without bacon and what's supper... without bacon?? Well, I've learned that you can make almost any meal without meat and it will still taste awesome. I've been making these amazing soups (thanks, Aunt Julie for the book!) and vegetarian shepherd's pies. James makes this wicked vegan lasagna that I guarantee is tastier than any noodle, ground beef and ketchup sauce dish that's on every standard resto menu. And it's easy! I actually enjoy cooking now because the results are so much tastier and can feed us for a week!
Jim gave up wheat three years ago. At the time, he had been reading articles and watching documentaries that discussed the possibility that food made of wheat can have detrimental effects to your health. James has asthma and psoriasis and according to research, cutting out wheat could potentially mitigate the issues related to these chronic illnesses. After three months of a strict no wheat diet, not only did James' asthma improve but his psoriasis practically disappeared.
Oh - and he lost 30 lbs.
Needless to say, he's stuck with it as the benefits of being able to breathe and not having red scabs all over his body definitely outweighed the temporary pleasure of inhaling a succulent honey glazed donut.
This past summer, Jim made some more changes in his life. He cut out meat significantly (we're down to 1-2 meat meals a week - I struggle a bit more...especially over the holidays), he started eating fruits and veggies like they were going out of style, consuming handfuls of vitamins daily and began his own workout routine based off of exercises he learned doing P90X. Before the Xmas break, he even stopped drinking and plans to do so again now that the party season is behind us. It's not at all surprising that he dropped another 10 lbs and he's in a happier state than he's ever been (since I've known him anyway). He also boasts of increased energy and I can attest to his improved mood (and other great benefits for us, but I'll spare you those details!)
Before James started living healthy, he was a ravenous carnivore who drank cases of beer every week and spent most of his free time in front of the TV. I exaggerate slightly, but he'd agree I'm not far off. He was happy sometimes, but not enough. It's so easy to say but health is absolutely key to happiness and personal growth - and it's amazing how many people don't care to even try. You'd be surprised at how many people, close friends and family, have knocked him down a peg or two when he tried to share what he's learned. Regardless, he's got me convinced - check out the results for yourself.
I spend more time with James than anyone, and my happiness has also improved by virtue of his own. So that's my plan - if I'm healthier, I'll be happier and this will translate into other benefits for myself as well as good deeds and compassion for others (wins for the Scooter Project!)
I'm going to start following James' regime - better food, exercise, vitamins and massive consumption of water. And I honestly can't see any issue with making this a permanent lifestyle choice.
I often wonder how people handle crazy diets where you can only eat meat one day and dill pickles the next. And exercise routines like P90X are great but they are time consuming and freaking hard! I'm not interested in taking up something that I'm bound to fail at - and I want something that is fun and sustainable. I have a friend who just started this body pump routine at home and she absolutely loves it. The results are really showing - she looks great and she's having fun! Now that's what I'm looking for!
When Jim and I first significantly cut meat out of our diets I thought it would be a nightmare. WTF would we eat? I mean, what's breakfast without bacon and what's supper... without bacon?? Well, I've learned that you can make almost any meal without meat and it will still taste awesome. I've been making these amazing soups (thanks, Aunt Julie for the book!) and vegetarian shepherd's pies. James makes this wicked vegan lasagna that I guarantee is tastier than any noodle, ground beef and ketchup sauce dish that's on every standard resto menu. And it's easy! I actually enjoy cooking now because the results are so much tastier and can feed us for a week!
What's awesome too though is that we still pig out every now and again. We have nachos once every couple of weeks, we go out for burgers when the mood hits and we still both enjoy a good steak. It's all about balance right? There's a reason the Japanese and Chinese live so effing long and it's not because they spend the most on health care or that they're actually cyborgs. Exercise and a healthy diet - it's no secret!
Ok, I realize some of you might be rolling your eyes at me because I'm actually very thin. Why should I have an opinion about diet? Weight is definitely a sign of health (weather you're under or over that "ideal" mark) but being healthy has to do with a whole lot more than your weight. Every person is different and it's fruitless to try to look/feel the same by having the same habits- I could eat McDonalds three times a day for the next month and I'd probably lose weight...but I would feel like death! It does not mean I'm healthier than someone who is thirty pounds heavier because it's what's going on inside that counts.
Guess what? I have high cholesterol, and I have for a long time. If I don't get my diet in check, that could have serious repercussions later in my life. Also, women who don't exercise regularly are more prone to diseases like osteoporosis and I just don't want to deal with that. I already have scoliosis and I can't imagine dealing with an already shitty back that has deteriorating bones. Not cool.
So far, my only exercise is walking my awesomely adorable dog, Bear. Seriously, I could dedicate a whole blog to this guy - he's the cutest.
Ok, I realize some of you might be rolling your eyes at me because I'm actually very thin. Why should I have an opinion about diet? Weight is definitely a sign of health (weather you're under or over that "ideal" mark) but being healthy has to do with a whole lot more than your weight. Every person is different and it's fruitless to try to look/feel the same by having the same habits- I could eat McDonalds three times a day for the next month and I'd probably lose weight...but I would feel like death! It does not mean I'm healthier than someone who is thirty pounds heavier because it's what's going on inside that counts.
Guess what? I have high cholesterol, and I have for a long time. If I don't get my diet in check, that could have serious repercussions later in my life. Also, women who don't exercise regularly are more prone to diseases like osteoporosis and I just don't want to deal with that. I already have scoliosis and I can't imagine dealing with an already shitty back that has deteriorating bones. Not cool.
So far, my only exercise is walking my awesomely adorable dog, Bear. Seriously, I could dedicate a whole blog to this guy - he's the cutest.
I plan to invest in some weights so I can start building bone density. I need to create a routine and I might just base it off of whatever James is doing now (as the results have been quite nice!)
I believe that being healthier will help with the Scooter Project - of which the goal is really to be happy and spread happiness. Life is pretty damn short and I'd really rather not waste too many of my minutes being angry (I'll save that for hockey games).
Cheers!
I believe that being healthier will help with the Scooter Project - of which the goal is really to be happy and spread happiness. Life is pretty damn short and I'd really rather not waste too many of my minutes being angry (I'll save that for hockey games).
Cheers!