The Diet/Self-Improvement Thread

[jandi]

I am pretty happy right now, so wanted to share this. I have never been particularly fit/athletic, but I am striving to keep my self active (asides from dancing). I took an old bike to work and started going for bike rides during lunch hour a couple times a week. I've been trying to hike and bike during the summer. I started tracking the distance I'm doing, and seems in August I made a little over 100km. So now I want to push my self to get a similar mileage in September, even as it is starting to get colder.

[JenW]

You go, Jandi! I am impressed with how you have just incorporated more activity. Also, I hope you have lots of warm, sunny days in September!

I am off on some other plan.....I am trying South Beach this time. Any experts out there? And I am getting a little exercise, too.

[jandi]

It was snowing until May, so it is only fair September remains warm

South Beach? What is that?

[JenW]

It is a diet plan. (The South Beach Diet)
It is not low carb or low fat, but it is low-ish in both of those categories. It is also higher in fiber and uses the glycemic index for foods, and stresses good fats and good carbs. It soulds really complicated, but it is pretty simple.

In a nutshell.....healthy fats, healthy carbs, lean protein.

[Trainer]

You go, Jandi! I am impressed with how you have just incorporated more activity. Also, I hope you have lots of warm, sunny days in September!

I am off on some other plan.....I am trying South Beach this time. Any experts out there? And I am getting a little exercise, too.

Hi Jen,
I'm a personal trainer, if you want some guidance, pm me and ill be happy to give you some advice.

[JenW]

Thank you, Trainer! I am one of those that any exercise is an improvement....... Once I do some basic stuff regularly for about 6 weeks, I will probably be looking for guidance. Right now I am using Wii Fit and my ancient (but in perfect working condition) Nordic Trak...... I have also done light weights and resistance bands in the past.....I will have to check to see if the did not rot in the closet!

[Xarata]

What about adding a little spice to your life (literally) to up your metabolism? I eat healthy choice steamers meals (i'm not on a diet, i just hate to cook and not all frozen meals are created equal) and i've noticed that all of them are spicy- cayenne pepper, curry, hot peppers, cinnamon. Ginger and green tea are supposed to boost your metabolism too.

[JenW]

I agree on the spices and green tea...I have been drinking lots of tea and putting chipolte pepper (it is kind of smokey and spicy) on nearly everything....... I'll have to give some of those other spices a go, too.

[jandi]

Instead of taking the bus, that takes forever, I decided to bike to a rehearsal tonight. My boyfriend said I'm insane, as it was 12km to get there, and all uphill. I'm soooo dead, maybe partially insane, but with a big smile on my face.

[Allyxx]

Hey guys! Great thread!

I just bought myself some zumba dvd's and would like to go for walks/strolls around the neighbourhood everyday for half and hour at least. I want to loose about 5kg. Dont know how much that is in the US but basically just drop one dress size and I'm good! Does anyone go for regular walks? I use to walk so much but since I've moved to another state....i dont do it anymore. its hard to stay motivated! I'd also like to eat more fish but dont really know how to cook with it (just moved out of home 8 months ago) hehe. I drink green tea everyday and was doing the apple cider vinegar and aloe vera juice for a while but just got lazy and didnt keep it up. I even bought my own wheatgrass juicer, grew a batch of wheatgrass and had that for a week...then one day i saw a cat...piss on it so that put me off and i just let my grass die!