I am going to get more into writing about my process in the next article. This one is a look at what I wrote on October 20, 2020 when I resolved to have a lifestyle shift and begin my quest for optimum health and fitness.
Just being a vegetarian and exercising was not enough. I was not losing weight. In fact, it seemed like I was on a gradual but continual climb in the fat department. I decided that day to change. A month later, there have been no obstacles or temptations to return to my previous way of life. I have had considerable success in transforming my health and fitness.
Here’s What I Wrote
Goal
180 lbs. by December 31, 2020 (my first weight in was 209 – today, November 16, it is 191).
Update – Weight Loss Goal Achieved!
Why?
- To live an illness free, healthy, lengthy life.
- To have ‘super’ energy.
- To have ‘super’ self-esteem and self-confidence.
- To slow and reverse the aging process.
- To not be ‘vulnerable’ – a COVID-19 buzz word for being generally unhealthy.
- To not put my kids through what my Mom and Dad did to us in their final years.
How?
- DAILY exercise.
- Full vegan diet.
- Meal planning.
- Portion control.
- No eating at night – Night Fast (since, I’ve learned this is called intermittent fasting and is probably the most important habit).
- No sugar, bread, dairy (except cream and sugar with coffee!).
- Cold showers.
- Focused breathing to oxygenate the blood. (Wim Hof Breathing Method)
- Meditation.
- Proper amount of sleep.
- Focus on self-control and self-discipline.
- Focus on gratitude.
- Measure. What you measure gets done.
- Daily review of the goal, the why’s and the how’s.
- Educate (I added this later but it’s so very important to be constantly educating yourself on what is and is not healthy).
A Short Explanation
I’ll be getting into much more detail in future posts. Here’s a few notes on what I first wrote…
I want to make clear the statement about my parents. They were in their mid 40’s when they had me. I was in my mid to late 40’s when I had my last two kids. There are obviously going to be parallels.
My parents lived full lives, dying at around the 90 year mark. But, for the better part of their final decade, my Mom suffered progressively worse dementia. My father had his wits about him until the end but suffered physically. It was painful to watch as each scenario played out. It was worse for my Dad because he was in constant pain and had to watch my Mom’s mind rapidly deteriorate.
When I get to that age, my two youngest will be in their 40’s. At that point in life, I want both my mind and body to allow me to spend time with them and, hopefully, my grandchildren. I don’t want them worrying about whether I’m going to have a heart attack at any moment or simply wander off, not having a clue where or even who I am.
So, that part is an insult to my parents whatsoever. I simply have been gifted a look into what the future could hold and I have been afforded the chance to optimize my health so my timeline goes in a different direction.
Also, I’d like to add that none of these habits are new to me. I have practiced good health all my life. I’m not coming from a place of utter disaster, by any means. But, I do know that I might have been heading there if I didn’t do anything about it.
It’s seems like quite a handful of habits to ask of yourself in one shot. However, it’s not that bad. Most compliment themselves.
The most important, I believe, is intermittent fasting. I’ve always called in ‘Night Fast’ and will continue to do so… Oddly enough (the power of the Law of Attraction), I randomly was watching a podcast on YouTube with Lewis Howes and Dr. Gundry during my first week and the whole concept of intermittent fasting and it’s benefits were discussed. It fortified my commitment. There are so many benefits that it really should be everyone’s radar.
Whenever I’ve been at my optimum over my 50+ years, it’s always been during a period of Night Fasting.
Of course, it’s almost as much about what you don’t eat than what you do. I believe that simply eliminating sugar (fruit included), any wheat or grain product, dairy and animal protein will absolutely put you on the course to success.
You ask, “What is there to eat, then?” That’s a good question. Definitely all fast food is out. In fact, most restaurant food, whether it’s supposed to be healthy or not, is out. But, you can still have a hardy, tasty diet with what’s left. I’ll talk about what I eat and how I make it in further posts.