Globesity: global health epidemic or cash cow?

Those of us with a soul look at worldwide obesity trends with sadness; something is severely wrong and must be fixed. To some, though, the obesity epidemic is a chance to cash in. In case you're wondering where the money to be made is, check out this article on Foreign Policy's blog, Passport. According to the experts, there are a number of ways that investors can take advantage of the "globesity" trend. 

Obesity in Mexico is out of control - Is it genetics?

In case you haven't heard, Mexico recently beat out the U.S. as the top ranked country for obesity worldwide. Well, researchers are pointing to a unique genetic predisposition among indigenous and mestizo populations in Mexico. It's sure to be controversial. Read about it on the blog LatAm News Translations.

I'll be posting soon on a trend in Mexico to publicly fund bariatric surgery clinics in Mexico to combat the obesity epidemic. It seems to me that there are better ways to treat obesity with public funding, but I'm not Mexican so it's not my place to judge. But I will be translating an article on the subject very soon, so check it out here, or "like" LatAm News Translations on Facebook to get it when it's hot off the presses!

Plank at the office? Take five on the floor!

For me, the plank is one of my favorite exercises because of how it makes me feel. I swear it changes the chemistry of my brain! Whenever I'm having one of those days at the office, I take a quick break and do plank, just five minutes on the floor, and I'm refreshed, re-energized and pumped to take on the next project.

The plank can be done in different ways to target a variety of core muscles. Search the ACE Fitness GetFit online exercise library for the best technique for your mid-day mini workout. Or if you're ready to start with the basic front plank, go here!

And don't forget to "like" MyFitLife2Day on Facebook, and follow me on Twitter!

Fitness fashion: "Strong is the new skinny!"

I had to share this website with you all, since, like me, I know you're always on the look out for things that inspire your fit life today. This online shop, called Gym Motivation Shirts, caught my attention via Twitter today, and I just had to share it with you.

The shirt slogan that caught my eye was "STRONG IS THE NEW SKINNY". I absolutely love this, because all along my fit life journey I have focused on strength - losing weight and working out is a way of making me stronger. Weight loss, in my opinion, is just a desirable side effect of the pursuit of overall fitness.

In any case, whether you buy a shirt from them is none of my concern - I neither promote or am paid by them, so what do I care! But definitely check it out for some inspiration next time you're feeling like skipping the gym.

Stuck in a rut? This online exercise library helped me!

I love the gym, but sometimes I get bored with the same old routine. And so does my body! But even though I'm well aware of the importance of switching things up every couple of weeks to keep shedding fat and growing my muscles, I sometimes get stuck in a rut. I'm not an expert (yet), so I'm thankful for the experts at ACE Fitness for ACE GetFit - a FREE online library of exercises!

One area I'm focusing on now is abs, and the online library of ab exercises is simply amazing - I can even access it on my smart phone while I'm at the gym. It's like having your own personal trainer.

Now, if you can afford a personal trainer, by all means hire one - they not only motivate but teach, and that's invaluable. But if you can't afford a trainer but are looking to change it up at the gym, look no further than the ACE GetFit exercise library. And thank me when you do!

One goal's knocked down, while another's set up!

From a crag on Sandia, just off the North Crest Trail

Today I accomplished a huge goal for me - completed the fifth of my five planned 10-mile hikes. These were not mere walks in the woods. With the exception of one, which was a a town to town trek through the historic towns of Lincoln and Concord, Massachusetts, these were strenuous hikes with between 1,300 and 3,000 feet of elevation gain along rugged terrain.

Those of you who know me or who have been following my blog (which started as The Fitness 400 Project a few years ago), know that I stopped trying to lose weight about a year ago to focus on physical activity. I had lost more than 165 pounds by then, eating right and doing resistance training at the gym and using a medicine ball. I dropped from about 420 to 255 pounds. And though I was at that point still obese, I decided I wanted to prove what I was capable of. I wanted to demonstrate through hard work and dedication what any moderately in-shape obese person can do if he or she challenges him or herself to get out into the world and live life to the fullest!

My body aches after these hikes. It's like carrying an 80 pound pack. And now that I've accomplished these hikes I am ready to starting focusing on weight loss again. The reason is simple. Part of my original goal with hiking, which you can read about on my blog Man of Merit, was to plan and carry out these five 10-mile hikes followed by a long-distance 20-mile hike, to be carried out in a single day (no camping between two 10-milers).

After today's hike, I've determined that my body is just not ready for a 20-mile hike, unless I were to cheat a bit and do a walk on a totally flat surface perhaps. But instead I'm choosing to challenge myself once more to a 20-mile mountain hike. And this means I need to lose a considerable amount of weight first to ensure I don't injure myself in the process.

This is not going to be an easy task. I've become quite content at my current weight. I look good, and I feel good - especially when compared to how I felt living in a super obese body, not even being able to bend down to pick up something off the floor or walk without waddling. But I know that I'm capable of much more. And I'm going to prove that to myself, starting right now.

This means cutting out the splurges I've become accustomed to over the past year. I still eat very well, but I have to admit I've been enjoying ice cream from time to time, and this has definitely got to stop if I'm going to make strides with weight loss again. So that's my new commitment. No more late night snacks. I will also ramp up my exercise routine.

Since moving to Albuquerque in January I've been going to the gym and hiking, obviously, but I've not been using medicine ball and doing plank on a regular basis like I did in the past. Starting back at these core exercises three days a week I know will make a positive impact on my weight loss in no time.

So there you have it. I'm back at it, and I'm putting it in writing here so I know I will have accountability for this commitment. My goal is to lose 40 pounds by the end of December. And a short term goal is to lose 20 pounds by October 1.

I really appreciate those of you who read me and keep me on track with my goals. And as always, I'm open to your comments and suggestions along the way! 

Five tips to focus on in your fit life journey

Hydrate!

"My fit life journey" can mean different things to different people. But weather you're trying to lose a few pounds, overcome obesity or maintain a healthy weight, the basics of living a fit life are basically the same.

When I started my fit life journey a few years ago, the tips I'm providing here were considered non-negotiable for me. And even today, as I'm closer to my healthy weight goal than I've been in two decades, I try to remind myself to stick within these guidelines in order to stay on track.

So check out this list, then comment. What do you do to ensure your journey a fit life journey?

1. Hydration - Drink water all day long. How much? Google that question and add your specific weight and geographic area, because body mass and climate both have an impact. In general, drink eight 8-ounce cups of water per day, plus more if you're overweight and/or living in a dry climate or at high altitude.
2. Portion size - The most common mistake any of us make with regard to our diet is eating more than our body needs. This takes focus, because the system these days appears to be stacked against us. For example, typical meat portions at restaurants are rarely less than eight ounces, but an appropriate serving of any meat is about four ounces. See a doctor or nutritionist (or Google) to find out how many calories your body needs. 
3. Food is fuel, not your friend - Plan to have smaller portions spread out over the course of the day to ensure your body has nutrients accessible at times it needs them most. Then you won't be as tempted to have something to eat the next time anxiety, stress or emotional drain sets in.
4. Plan ahead - By cooking and pre-packaging healthy meals in advance, say on Sunday night before a busy work week, you can avoid the pitfalls of eating out. This could save you considerable amounts of calories over the course of your week because even the "healthy" meals at restaurants often come served in portion sizes larger than your dietary needs.
5. Exercise every day - They say you should always have rest days built in to your schedule, and that's true. You shouldn't hit the gym or go hiking or running every day of the week. But you should infuse an attitude of exercise into every single day. Take the stairs instead of the elevator at work. Park at the parking spot farthest from the door at work or at the grocery store. Take the dogs for a walk twice a day around the block instead of just having them do their business just beyond the front stoop or in the back yard. You will be surprised how this speeds you toward your goals.

These are not just a few tips to be implemented from time to time but rather they are key ingredients to living a fit life. Don't just pick up one or two of these tips and try them out; Commit to implementing them this week and focus on adhearing to a plan for at least four weeks in order to see results. Once you have made these five tips a habit, check back here for more tips for making the most of your fit life journey.