I will be the first to tell you that this is how I once felt. Sometimes I still feel that way.

But what we SHOULD feel is what I normally do- that is, exercise is not just a means to an end— to lose weight.

All the time I see bumper stickers and running gear that says “Running is cheaper than Therapy”- How true!!! I look forward to running now. I know that one of the only things that gets me out of bed sometimes is the prospect of seeing my friends and drinking coffee and visiting after a run.

My point is- it didn’t happen overnight, but if you can stick with it and find some friends—– exercise can be something to look forward to and enjoy.

Remember, Get up!!! Get Moving!!! Get a Better Life!!

When I was doing the People Magazine interview… the first one, the reporter asked me what I ate. She wanted to know if fast food was a problem for me. I could not deny that I did eat some fast food, but I told her that this was not the real problem.

For me the real problem is Steak. Yep… I try to eat it as often as I can. The problem for me before I lost any weight was that I was eating it three times a week… and I was not exactly eating a lean cut. I like rib-eyes- the most marbled part of the cow I think.

Well, as it turns out, I really just have to modify my steaks a little. You see…Harvard researchers recently discovered that while eating processed meats like hotdogs and bacon can contribute to heart disease, there is no such risk for people who consume only unprocessed meat. And many studies have linked protein consumption with weight loss.

Also, meat is one of the only dietary sources of vitamin B12, which helps your body make blood cells and maintain a healthy nervous system. But here is the tricky part– Eating too much saturated fat has been linked to heart disease, so go ahead and eat that steak, but make it a NY strip or something even more lean. And eat it only once a week.

Remember to Get Up!! Get Moving!! And Get a Better Life!!!

I know… It’s not as good. It really isn’t. But, it IS good enough.

A couple of days ago, I had to use some white bread for something. My wife had bought a loaf for some recipe she was working on (don’t ask me why she didn’t substitute whole wheat) and I was out of bread. I REALLY wanted a ham sandwich. So, I did the substituting. It was REALLY good.

When people ask me how I did it. How did I lose the weight. Part of that answer is WHOLE GRAIN.

So, don’t let anyone tell you that bread will make you fat. A recent American Journal of Clinical Nutrition study found that overweight people who obtained all of their grain servings from whole grains lost more belly fat than those who skipped the whole grains altogether.

The thing is- or one thing is that eating whole grain has a lot more fiber… and fiber fills you up and keeps you filled up.

Oh, and make sure to NOT buy the “fake” wheat bread. Check the label and make sure that the word ENRICHED is nowhere to be found in the ingredients list.

Remember to Get up!!! Get moving!! and Get a better life!!!— and eat that whole grain.

Harriette Cole- United Feature Syndicate

I have had so many e-mails asking if that was me in the Sense and Sensitivity advice column the other day. I am flattered by some of the mail. I hope that I can continue to inspire everyone to try to make positive changes in your life and in your health.

Here is the letter that I wrote to them… it was in response to a person in Jackson MS that said that they were Lethargic and were having trouble losing weight.

BUDDY SYSTEM KEY IN BATTLING OBESITY-

Harriette,

Wanted to make a quick response to Lethargic, Jackson MS.

I think that your tips for Lethargic, were right on. The things that you suggested were excellent.. especially your last sentence— suggesting that Lethargic “Tell yourself you are worth it, and then do something every day.” I think that this might be the most important part of the process. Until we are ready to realize our “self-worth”, it can be very difficult to “Get up! Get Moving!! And Get a Better Life”.

I too was an obese person living much the same situation. No matter how hard I tried, I was unable to get going. A HUGE part of my success was finding a group of people that were trying to realize similar goals. Once I had that support group, the task and hand became so much more attainable.

Yes, walk around your neighborhood. But find some friends… some work-out friends, to do it with you. Go to the gym—- but it is SO much easier to get there if you have something to look forward to (i.e.- seeing your friends). And always remember the old axiom, that “Misery loves company”— It’s true!

If Lethargic would like to contact me. I am also in the Jackson Miss. area. I have a blog, www.weighdownsouth.com and have been successful in not only losing some weight, but in keeping it off for over two years. I would offer to let Lethargic come and do some workouts with me… if they are up for it.

I changed my life. And believe me, if I can, anyone can.

Remember- Get up!! Get Moving!!! Get a Better Life!!!!

A 2007 survey by Franklin-Covey found that 4 of 5 people abandon their new year’s resolutions. In fact, almost a third of them don’t even make it to February.

Well, I have preached this before, don’t make resolutions. Make a lifestyle change.

Here are three tips to help you if you made one:

1. Confuse your muscles- do different things… don’t get bored. Keep your body guessing.

2. Set a goal- don’t just say, “I want to lose a few pounds and get fit”, say- “I am going to lose 25lbs by the first of April”. Make it specific and measurable. Oh, and it might help to write it down.

3. Join some group fitness classes. The group will hold you accountable and who knows, you might make a friend and WANT to come see them at the gym.

Remember, Get Up!! Get Moving! Get a Better Life!!!!

Race is February 11th at 9:00am!!

This is an open 5,000 meter cross country race. You can walk it or run.
Feel free to form a team with friends or compete individually.
Proceeds benefit the Millsaps Cross Country and Track & Field Team.

Awards:
* Top 10 male and top 10 female receive medals.
* The overall male and female winners will receive gift certificates for pizzas
from Pizza Shack and gift certificates for shoes from Fleet Feet.
* 18 and under male and female will receive trophies.
* Masters and Grand-Masters male and female winners will receive gift
certificates for pizzas from Pizza Shack.
* The winners of the team divisions will receive gift certificates for two large
pizzas from Pizza Shack.
* The first male to break 15 minutes and the first female to break 17:45 will
receive a $500 gift certificate to Fleet Fleet.

Directions to Choctaw Trails:

From Jackson – I-20 West towards Clinton, take the Springridge Rd Exit,
left on Springridge Rd for 1.5 miles, left at McRaven Rd (stoplight), drive
1.5 miles and Choctaw Trails will be on your left.

Team Divisions:
Teams are made up of 5 runners and the top 3 times will be averaged.
There is a male and female division.

Contact Coach Till if you have any questions. andy.till@millsaps.edu
www.msracetiming.com

A couple of weeks ago, Congress killed the Department of Agriculture’s new food guidelines that would have increased the amount of fruit and vegetables in school lunches. This was after Schwan and ConAgra spend millions “convincing” our Congressmen and Women that it was a bad idea. Oh, and they also lobbied to continue to count french fries as a vegtable… and the sauce on pizza as a vegtable. Pretty hard to believe.

Now some said that it was “not up to the nanny state to tell us what to eat”. And by the way, I think that the nanny state is a problem in this country. There are too many instances where the government is getting into our business where it does not belong. However, in this case—- do we really need ConAgra telling us what to eat??

Don’t get me wrong. I love a good french fry as much as anyone. But I just think that it is too much to ask for these corporations to “do the right thing”.

Remember kids!!! Get up!! Get Moving!! And Get a Better Life!!!

I know you have heard me say it before… but this is a lifestyle change- not a diet. To me, this is the most importaint, basic part of my weight loss experience.

If I was to try to go on a diet, then inevitably, I would go off of that diet- and then, well, you know what happens!!!!

Besides, it looks like, according to some really smart guys, that when we diet, we are putting our bodies in a situation that they will resist.

Over the course of my life, I have noticed that my body kind of “settles into a weight”. Now, what I mean by that is that I can eat and eat and eat, and I will not gain any weight. Then all of a sudden, I will gain 15-20lbs- only to kind of level out, stay at that weight for quite some time- until it is time to gain some more. Very strange. It is almost like my body is searching for a sweet spot that it likes. Almost like this is set by God.

Well, as it turns out, this may not be too far from the truth. It seems that Australian researchers got together a group of 50 overweight folks. The researchers put them on a strict diet designed to help them lose weight, which they did. Then, a year later, the researchers went back and tested them again. WOW!!! The hormone levels, like ghrelin (a hunger stimulant) and leptin (which keeps appetite in check) had changed DRAMATICALLY— to slow their metabolism and intensify feelings of hunger. These hormones were working to get the weight back on!! A year later!!!!

All I can say is that dieting is NOT going to work. We all need to watch what we eat— but the main thing we need to do is to EXERCISE!!!

Get up!!! Get moving!!! Get a better life!!!!! Despite the hormones!!

Why do we buy so many of these really big meals… burgers… fries… and the dock your jet-ski drinks??

Well, one reason really surprised me. As a matter of fact, I am still not sure I beleive it.

Here is the deal: Marketing researchers at Northwestern University tell Time.com that studies suggest jumbo portions are a way for people that feel helpless to enjoy a “momentary catharsis”.

In other words, ordering a super-size meal is a way that people with low social status (and perhaps a low income) to feel more powerful and important.

Researchers note that throughout history, people with more money (and thus status) have the biggest houses and the most food. Well, it seems that perhaps that trend is continuing in the 21st century.

Subjects in the study were shown video of people ordering meals. Then they were asked to rate the people (from a status standpoint) based on what they ordered. Across the board, the people that ordered the large meals were rated the highest.

Additionally, subjects were asked to think of a time when they felt disadvantaged… or taken advantaged of. Again, the hypothesis rang true. Given a choice of small, medium and large smoothies- same results… guess what: They ordered the large.

Perhaps this is ANOTHER reason that obesity rates are highest among people with lower incomes.

Remember, Get up!! Get Moving!! Get a better (smaller) Life!!!!