WHAT A PRICK!

5 Random Drawbacks To Machine-Based Training

2012-02-08T11:19:00.000-08:00

Let me know what other drawbacks you can come up with in the comments section!

Sitting

The average person spends anywherefrom 75-90 percent of their day either lying or sitting down.

Read that again.

Don’t believe me? Go ahead and addup the average number of hours of sleep you get each night with the average numberof hours spent at work – that for the majority of the population is a sedentarydesk job. Eye opening isn’t it?

This is followed by going to thegym to get a ‘workout’ – by sitting down.That is after all the first step in using a weight stack machine. Anyone seethe problem here?

Sit Less, Move More

Fixed Range of Motion

Everyone’s body is different and unique. This includes yourjoints and the path in which is it most efficient and safe for them to movethrough.

Machines are designed for the ‘average’ person. Kind of likethe whole white picket fence and 2.5 kids thing. Are you average - or do you haveunique needs and considerations that should be taken into account? Then why useequipment for ‘average’ people?

Being forced into a range of motion that is unnatural andawkward eventually leads to imbalances and many times down the road- injury. Notto mention no progression or results.

Hopefully you don’t have 2.5 kids either, or else somethingis very wrong.

Don’t be average.

Isolation

Machines function in the makebelieve world of isolation. Perhaps this has some value to a bodybuilder, buthow many of you are – or even wish to be – a bodybuilder?

In the real world, like when youhave to pick up a child or carry groceries, your body must function together asa unit. Training in isolation only leads to decreased coordination, imbalances,and yes possibly injury once again.

This is most often demonstrated bythe individual who sits down in the chest press machine and loads the weightstack up nice and high and goes to town, but when asked to complete one standardpushup resembles a flopping fish.

You don’t have gills, don’t be afish.

Waiting

I’m convinced that the mostvaluable currency we have is our time. The last thing we should want to wasteit on is waiting for an awkward and average machine. Not when there are aplethora of superior options available to us.

You should be able to easily getyour strength, mobility, and cardiovascular work down in 45 minutes or less. Getin and get out. More time to spend with your family or do the things you reallyenjoy.

The next time you are standingaround waiting for a machine to open up ask yourself – Don’t I have better thingsto do?

Insanity

Walkinto a gym on any given day and it’s a pretty good bet you’ll find the majorityof people schlepping through the same ol’ machine circuit, in the same order,with the same weight, and the same number of repetitions. A whole fitness chainwas even founded on this idea.

Howdoes that seem to be working? Any stronger? Shoulder or knee still hurt?

The definition of insanity is often stated as doing the same thing over andover and expecting a different result. Or as I came across this week over on Tony Gentilcore's blog:

If you continue doing what you’vealways done, you’ll continue getting what you’ve always gotten.

More Random Thoughts....

2012-02-02T14:05:00.000-08:00

Another day, another mainstream article drawing odd conclusions and quotes from 'experts' responding to the latest findings from recent studies. This one comes from a study published in the British Medical Journal, which was used as the basis for this article from Yahoo. The study authors concluded that...

"In Spain, a Mediterranean country where olive or sunflower oil is used for frying, the consumption of fried foods was not associated with coronary heart disease or with all cause mortality."

The Yahoo article goes on to state...

"A new study has found that there is no direct correlation between the amount of fried food people eat and their risk of heart disease. Instead, the research found that long-term heart risk depended more on what kind of oil was used in the cooking process — olive oil and sunflower oil are considered the healthiest."

Additionally, Victoria Taylor, senior heart health dietitian at the British Heart Foundation, was quoted as saying..

"We currently recommend swapping saturated fats like butter, lard or palm oil for unsaturated fats as a way of keeping your cholesterol down and this study gives further cause to make that switch..."

Huh? Where in the study does it give that further cause? Did she read it? The only conclusion that can be drawn is, as the authors stated:

"In a Mediterranean country where olive and sunflower oils are the most commonly used fats for frying, and where large amounts of fried foods are consumed both at and away from home, no association was observed between fried food consumption and the risk of coronary heart disease or death."

There is no mention of saturated fats, butter, lard, and/or palm oil ANYWHERE in the study. But of course you have to read it to know that. And tell me, where in the US do they still cook with butter, or even more rare, lard?* We haven't cooked with either consistently since the 1950's, yet our rates of heart disease and everything else under the sun continue to climb. And still, the 'experts' continue to suggest butter is the problem. Huh? The Yahoo article also incorrectly states that re-used oils contain higher levels of saturated fats. They contain higher levels of transfats due to oxidation, not saturated.

Experts are always confused by anomalies such as the so-called French Paradox, where another country can eat more fat(even saturated!), carbs, or insert random vilified food of the decade here, than the US yet have lower rates of heart disease and various other illnesses. I've maintained for a while now that it comes down to the quality of the food source. The Telegraph seems to agree...

"They say there is mounting research that it is the type of oil used, and whether or not it has been used before, that really matters."

Ah, the type and whether it has been re-used. As I mentioned, the US hasn't cooked with butter or lard since the 1950's. So what do we use? Vegetable oils and shortening for the most part. How many of us held a fast food job as a kid? Mine was Burger King. How often was that fryer oil changed? Yeah. Yuck. Think that might be part of the problem?

There is some evidence that the problem with the oils/fats predominantly used in the US in their high Omega-6 content. Everyone by now has heard all of the miraculous benefits(cardiovascular being one of them) of supplementing with fish oil due to it's Omega-3 content. The hypothesis growing steam is that it is because of a re-balanced ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3 fatty acids. Indeed, you can get a better balance of omega-6 to omega-3 by increasing your omega-3 intake supplementing with fish oil.

Can anyone think of another way to re-balance the two?

How about consume less omega-6 in the first place?

Nobody ever seems to suggest this. I wonder if it's because the supplement companies wouldn't make as much money having people buy stuff they really don't need? For more on the omega-6 issue as well as omega-6 content of common foods, click here. Notice a lot of the things the 'experts' say to avoid contain the lowest amount of omega-6? The stuff we haven't cooked with in decades. Hmmmm.

The take home message is focus on the quality of the food you are eating, whether they be fats, proteins, or carbs. Yes, on the surface these higher quality foods seem more expensive, but that short-sighted thinking will cost you plenty down the road in the form of increased doctor visits, hospital stays, prescriptions, and co-pays to manage all of your avoidable and preventable ailments!

Hell, forget the health benefits, quality food just tastes better.

* When requesting meals to be cooked in butter at various popular restaurants in cities such as Pittsburgh, Boston, and San Diego, the following are a sampling of the responses to my request:

"...he said he can't do it because it will stick the pan."

This was for a pancake fyi. And we wonder why we are so unhealthy in this country. No one knows how to cook anymore. I think a baby chef in France just died.

"huh? we don't have butter."

This was for an omelet. My plate was then presented with a few containers of butter to put on my bread. I guess they just had the special kind of butter than can only be put on bread.

Essentially, asking for butter seems akin to asking people to do calculus these days.

Random Thoughts....

2012-01-27T08:22:00.000-08:00

My random thoughts in response to a mainstream health article from this past week. The following article from Yahoo was written by an RD dispelling the long held myth that 6 small meals per day is any better than 3. Gasp. Which Will Help Me Slim Down—6 Mini Meals or 3 Squares? - Yahoo

From the article...

"...Many experts say it's best to eat mini meals every few hours. The idea behind it is this: eating frequently may help curb your appetite and stabilize your blood sugar-preventing the dips that leave you feeling hungry-which makes slimming down more doable."

Well if the 'experts' say it then it must be true.....

"...But recent research, published in the journal Obesity, suggests that grazing on multiple mini meals won't promote weight loss any more than sticking to three squares. When overweight or obese dieters spread a very-low-calorie diet over six meals, their appetite and hunger were no different than when they ate the same diet in three daily meals."

Hmmm, so who exactly are these 'experts' anyway?

Then it gets even better.

"...And, truth be told, these findings support older, similar research."

So let me get this straight - we've already had existing research disputing this myth of small frequent meals doing anything that the 'experts' have been proclaiming they do for years, yet they have continued to regurgitate the same tired dogma again and again? Well at least we are telling the truth now.

All in all though, an RD finally dispelling this myth is progress in my book. The author finishes up the article quite well with the following take home point:

"How much you eat is more important than how often you eat."

Couldn't have said it better myself.

The question I pose to all of you is - would you find it logically more likely to over-eat for the day on 6 meals, or 3?

Those of you who have been around already know my answer. My take home message:

BEWARE OF THE EXPERTS!

5 Common Kettlebell Training Mistakes

2012-01-24T06:19:00.000-08:00

The secret is out – adding kettlebells to your exercise routine produces unparalleled results in terms of improving your strength, power, flexibility, and body composition. But as is most often the case with a good thing, a rise in popularity is quickly followed by an increase in bastardization by those looking to hop on the bandwagon in order to make a quick buck. Here are 5 common mistakes often seen when someone has not had the benefit of receiving quality instruction from an RKC or HKC certified instructor.

1. Training With Shoes On
Training barefoot allows for proper body mechanics and increased stability though enhanced sensory perception through receptors on the bottom on your feet. An elevated heel throws your weight forward onto the toes, exponentially increasing shearing forces on the knee as well as causing Mistake #2 – lack of hip-hinge. Nike Shox, Reebok ZigTechs, and Sketchers Tone-ups are some of the worst offenders. Save your money and don’t be fooled by the marketing hype!

2. Lack of Hip-hinge
Hinging at the hips allows you to sufficiently load and use the glutes and hamstrings as opposed to your lower back and knees. Learning to effectively produce movement and power at the hips is also the foundation of athletic movement and performance. The lack of a hip-hinge results in the trainee ‘squatting’ their swings and deadlifts, further feeding the quad dominance so prevalent today. Push with your tush!

3. Unpacked/Disconnected Shoulders
Maintaining a packed shoulder position during pressing/pulling movements is essential for shoulder health and safety. The shoulder joint is one of the most mobile joints of the human body, and therefore requires a large amount of stability to maintain proper function and health long term. Many trainees over-extend the arm resulting in a shoulder that becomes rounded forward. Think about placing your shoulder blades in your back pocket – down and back.

4. Poor Wrist Positioning
Proper wrist positioning when pressing/pulling a kettlebell involves a locked and neutral wrist – think ‘knuckles up’. Failure to do so makes it almost impossible to maintain a packed and connected shoulder, in addition to being a major source of energy leakage and therefore a drain on power, strength, and performance. It also places undue strain on the tendons and ligaments of the wrist. Similar neutral positioning should also be present in the spine and neck.

5. Breathing (lack thereof)
Proper breathing when using kettlebells should be audible to those in the next room. The intra-abdominal pressure created by forcefully ‘sniffing’ in during the bottom or ‘catch’ of the movement combined with the forceful exhale through the exertion portion of each rep is essential for lower back safety. It also helps establish a rhythm or pace to the set. ‘Sniff’ in with the intent of expanding the belly, the OPPOSITE of the ‘drawing in’ method taught in Pilates.
The common theme with the above mistakes is a reduction in safety, exponentially increasing your risk of injury. If you are injured you can’t train, if you can’t train you can’t accomplish your goals. Don’t skimp on quality when it comes to your health and safety – demand instruction from an RKC and HKC certified instructor!
To locate an RKC or HKC instructor in your area, visit: http://www.dragondoor.com/instructors/

5 Strategies For Successfully Managing Diabetes

2012-01-18T08:05:00.000-08:00

As a follow up to last week’s post on my most recent blood work, here is the 5 step system I have used for successfully managing my diabetes.

1. Eat whole, unprocessed, and nutritionally dense foods.

Chalk this one up to Captain Obvious, but it would be remiss of me not to include it as its importance cannot be understated. For all the fuss about regulating food labels etc., more often than not if what you are eating even has a food label, it’s probably something you shouldn’t be eating anyway. Think about what foods generally don’t have labels: fresh produce, fresh meat/poultry, etc. Now think of where all these items are located at the store. Hint: the perimeter. Not much of value exists in the middle of the store, only obstacles to your success. Avoid them and make your life easier. There are obviously exceptions to this, don’t be a food nazi and use common sense. Two more thoughts on food labels:
• If the label lists ingredients which look like they are spelled in another language or give you bad flashbacks of your high school chemistry class – avoid it!
• Anything possessing more than 3-4 ingredients total would be another indicator of something to avoid.

2. Sit less/Move More

Notice I did not say exercise more. Appreciate the difference between exercise, and simply not sitting! Place a premium on incorporating this into your new lifestyle immediately after meals to start, and then gradually look to add more movement and less sitting to the rest of your day. Not only does this strategy help with diabetes, it also markedly lowers your risk for cardiovascular issues as well. Take a walk. Wash the dishes. Do a load of laundry. Do some of that house cleaning you have been neglecting, just don’t sit. Aim for 15-20 minutes following a meal before you allow yourself to sit.

3. Manage Stress/Sleep

Without getting all science geek on you, I’ll just keep it simple and say that insufficient sleep and/or chronic high stress have hormonal implications that cause you to overeat as well as more apt to store what you do eat as fat. This all happens primarily through an increase in circulating cortisol, but recognize all hormones interact with each other. Therefore, once one hormone is out of whack, it begins a cascade of events with negative implications for your health. Be sure to get at least 7 hours of quality sleep each night. Recognize the difference between quality sleep and laying there with your eyes closed. If you don’t wake up feeling rested, chances are the sleep wasn’t all that high in quality.

Stress - there is no one catch-all strategy for managing stress, everyone deals with it differently. What works for me won’t necessarily work for you. Breathing/meditation, massage, reading a book – find what works for you! For me, it was making the tough decision to remove a long-time friend from my life due to the consistently high level of stress this person caused me. It was an unhealthy relationship for both parties. Very unfortunate, but also a common occurrence if one lives long enough. Re-evaluate the people you surround yourself with from time to time and make changes if necessary. On the other side of that coin, I feel I also received a similar benefit by re-connecting with old friends I hadn’t seen in over 8 years. I have this listed as number 3 on this list, but in my personal experience it had the most profound effect on my blood sugar numbers.

4. Decreased Meal Frequency

Some time ago I came across IF, or intermittent fasting. Other places have documented IF in great detail, and so I will not look to re-invent the wheel here. If you wish to know more about IF, I suggest reading here and here. Essentially, there has never been any scientific evidence that eating 5-6 small meals per day as is so often prescribed by ‘professionals’ offers any measureable benefit in terms of blood sugar or metabolism. Until someone offers up some better evidence, it will remain nothing more than old gym dogma to me. All small, frequent meals did for me was result in finishing meals unsatisfied and still hungry, ravenous hunger throughout the day, and additional insulin injections - sound fun to you? Not to mention the preoccupation with food caused and the inconvenience of carrying around all this food all day to work and elsewhere. It’s simply not practical for most people’s lifestyle. It’s ok to be hungry every now then, and what you may find is most often the feeling will pass and just arose in the first place because of boredom – sometimes from sitting too much! That being said, if 5-6 small meals a day works for you, then stick with it! Only you know what works best for you and your body. But for those of you out there struggling, perhaps it’s time to give IF a try?

5. Consistency

Without consistent execution, every strategy is doomed to fail, no matter how sound it is. Make good food choices, sit less, go to bed and wake up at the same times everyday, etc. But also realize 100% compliance isn’t necessary to achieve success either. As it relates to stress, it’s important to enjoy life. Indulge in a guilty pleasure from time to time, just don’t do it 5 days a week. That’s not an indulgence, it’s a habit.

The results, in addition to the improved A1C noted on the bloodwork:
• ~50% reduction in use of Novalin-R
• ~50% reduction in use of Lantus
• Eliminated use of Metformin entirely.

Guess Who's Baaaaack......

2012-01-13T09:33:00.000-08:00

It's been over a year - so what's been happening in The Land of Pricks?

LOTS!

But for now I will just leave you with my latest blood work numbers.

7/29/11

GLUCOSE: 110
A1C: 6.1
TRIGLYCERIDES: 70
TOTAL CHOLESTEROL: 249
HDL: 84
LDL: 151

Contrast those with the past 4 test results here. Not bad eh? Oh yeah - I stopped taking Metformin as well due to concerns with B-vitamin absorption. Nothing more than ~6 units of Novalin and ~10 units of Lantus per day. And I eat LOTS of carbs.

So how did I do it?

Stay tuned until next week when I outline my strategy for managing my blood sugar and feed my love of food at the same time.....

Required Reading.....

2010-10-26T12:19:00.000-07:00

Report: Marathons cause heart damage - LiveScience

"We know that regular exercise reduces cardiovascular risk by a factor of two or three in the long run, but while we're doing vigorous exercise such as marathon running, our cardiac risk increases by seven,"

Why your desk job is slowly killing you - Men'sHealth

"A person may hit the gym every day, but if he's sitting a good deal of the rest of the time, he's probably not leading an overall active life,"

More Leptin Magic......

2010-10-20T12:34:00.000-07:00

Brain Might Be Key to Leptin's Actions Against Type 1 Diabetes, Researchers Find - ScienceDaily.com

"...research by Dr. Roger Unger, professor of internal medicine at UT Southwestern, has shown that subcutaneous administration of leptin, a hormone produced by the body's fat cells, can restore terminally ill rodents with type 1 diabetes to full health. The underlying cellular mechanisms that caused that effect, however, have been unclear."

Latest Bloodwork

2010-10-08T07:10:00.000-07:00

Few More Interesting Headlines...

2010-09-29T10:28:00.000-07:00

Biologists Discover Biochemical Link Between Biological Clock and Diabetes - ScienceDaily.com

Strong Link Between Diabetes and Air Pollution Found in National U.S. Study - ScienceDaily.com

Chromium Picolinate May Lessen Inflammation in Diabetic Nephropathy; Supplement Linked to Decreased Protein in the Urine of Diabetic Mice - ScienceDaily.com

Some Recent Headlines

2010-07-23T08:02:00.000-07:00

Still Alive.

2010-06-22T14:36:00.000-07:00

I apologize for the lack of posts lately, it's been a busy few weeks. I'm still in the middle of a massive home renovation project that has essentially been taking up all my time outside of work - the good news is 2 more rooms are very close to being finished. I hadn't been working on it much over the past year or so but have gotten the 'bug' once again.

I also attended (and passed) a Hardstyle Kettlebell Certification (HKC) workshop over the weekend taught by Senior RKC Instructor Brett Jones. It was a great workshop with loads of useful information regarding not just kettlebells, but training in general, that I'm excited to apply to both clients and myself. Not to mention the day was a blast! I've had the fortune of knowing Brett for about 6 years now and I can say without hesitation he is one of the most knowledgeable people you will come across in our field - if you get the opportunity to work with him jump on it!

Nothing really to report as far as meals and readings go, as things have been pretty consistent with what you all have been seeing the last 3 months or so.

Today's Numbers...

2010-06-11T04:31:00.000-07:00

Glucose: 146

Meal #1

- 6 sausage patties
- 8 oz. broccoli
- 8 oz. tomato
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 135

Today's Numbers...

2010-06-10T04:53:00.001-07:00

Glucose: 111

Meal #1

- 6 sausage patties
- 19 oz. broccoli
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 123

Meal #2

- 1/3 lb. grass fed beef
- 1 oz. provolone cheese
- 11 oz. sauteed onion
- 8 oz. tomato
- 2 T butter
- 2 dark chocolate squares
- 1/4 can coconut milk
- 2 units novalin

90 min: 179

Meal #3

- 2 chicken sausage links
- 2 plates broccoli
- 1 T mystery oil/fat
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 147

Meal #4

- 4 oz. kielbasa
- 1/4 can coconut milk

6 units lantus

Today's Numbers...

2010-06-09T12:29:00.000-07:00

Glucose: 109

Meal #1

-6 sausage patties
- 20 oz. broccoli
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

Meal #2

- 5 Coleman hotdogs
- 16 oz. broccoli
- 2 units novalin

Meal #3

- 2 chicken sausage links
- 1/5 plates mixed veggies
- 2 units novalin

Meal #4

- small dish ice cream
- 3 Coleman hotdogs
- 1/4 can coconut milk

8 units lantus

Today's Numbers...

2010-06-08T05:48:00.000-07:00

Glucose: 131

Meal #1

- 6 sausage patties
- 19 oz. mixed veggies
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 161

Meal #2

- 1/3 lb. grass-fed beef
- 1 oz. provolone cheese
- 16 oz. broccoli
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 95

Meal #3

- 2 chicken sausage links
- 2 plates of veggies
- ~ 1 T mystery oil/fat
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 134

Meal #4

- 4 oz. kielbasa
- 1/4 can coconut milk
- 4 dark chocolate squares

6 units lantus

Yesterday's Numbers...

2010-06-08T05:45:00.000-07:00

Glucose: 116

Meal #1

- 6 sausage patties
- 16 oz. mixed veggies
-1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 127

Meal #2

- 3 chicken sausage links
- ~ 6 oz. tomato
- ~ 8 oz. mixed fruit
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 171

Meal #3 (trained prior)

- 3-4 egg omelet
- 2 oz. mexican cheese
- 7.5 oz. pan-fried potatoes
- 2 T coconut oil
- 19 oz. asparagus
- 1 T olive oil
- 4 squares dark chocolate
- 2 units novalin

Meal #4

- 4 oz. kielbasa
- 1/4 can coconut milk

0 units lantus

Today's Numbers...

2010-06-06T04:37:00.001-07:00

Glucose: 130

Meal #1

- 6 sausage patties
- 19 oz. mixed veggies
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 137

0 units lantus

Today's Numbers...

2010-06-05T05:12:00.001-07:00

Glucose: 161

Meal #1

- 6 sausage patties
- 16 oz. mixed veggies
- 1 T butter
- 3 units novalin

1 Hour: 161

Meal #2 (trained prior)

- 3 extra large egg omelet
- 2 oz. mexican cheese
- 10.5 oz. pan-fired potatoes
- 2 T coconut oil
- 15 oz. asparagus
- 1 T olive oil
- 3 units novalin

Meal #3

- 12 oz. sirloin
- ~8-10 mixed veggies
- 2 units novalin

6 units lantus

Today's Numbers...

2010-06-04T15:41:00.001-07:00

Glucose: 137

Meal #1

- 6 sausage patties
- 23 oz. mixed veggies
- 1 T butter
- 3 units novalin

90 min: 158

Meal #2

- 1/3 lb. grass-fed beef
- 1 oz. provolone cheese
- 3 oz. strawberries
- 24 oz. mixed veggies
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

90 Min: 130

Meal #3

- 1/3 grass-fed beef
- 1 oz. provolone cheese
- 24 oz. mixed veggies
- 1 T butter
- 1/4 can coconut milk

0 units lantus

Today's Numbers...

2010-06-03T05:29:00.000-07:00

Glucose: 124

Meal #1

- 6 sausage patties
- 23 oz. mixed veggies
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 138

Meal #2

- 1/3 lb. grass-fed beef
- 1 oz. provolone cheese
- 13.5 oz. mixed veggies
- 4 oz. strawberries
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

Meal #3

- 2 chicken sausage links
- 2.5 plates of veggies
- 1-2 T mystery oil/fat
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 158

Meal #4

- 4 Coleman hotdogs
- 2 oz. mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 can coconut milk

0 units lantus

Yesterday's Numbers...

2010-06-03T05:28:00.001-07:00

Glucose: 121

Meal #1

- 6 sausage patties
- 23 oz. mixed veggies
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 139

Meal #2

- 3 chicken sausage links
- 2 plates of green beans
- 1-2 T mystery oil
- 2 units novalin

Meal #3

- 2 Coleman hotdogs
- 3/5 oz. mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 can coconut milk
- 2 units novalin

0 units novalin

Today's Numbers...

2010-06-01T18:14:00.000-07:00

Glucose: 121

Meal #1

- 6 sausage patties
- 23 oz. broccoli
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 139

Meal #2 (trained prior)

- 3 egg omelet
- 2 oz. mexican cheese
- 8 oz. pan-fired potatoes
- 2 T coconut oil
- 4 oz. strawberries
- 18 oz. asparagus
- 1 T olive oil
- 2 units lantus

1 Hour: 104

Meal #3

- 2 chicken sausage links
- ~ 16-18 oz. mixed veggies
- ~ 1 T mystery oil/fat
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 123

Meal #4

- 2 Coleman hotdogs
- 3.5 oz. mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 can coconut milk

0 units novalin

Today's Numbers...

2010-05-31T05:00:00.000-07:00

Glucose: 140

Meal #1

- 6 sausage patties
- 23.5 oz. broccoli
- 3 units novalin

1 Hour: 116

Meal #2

- 1/3 lb. grass fed beef
- 1 oz. provolone cheese
- 4 oz. strawberries
- 13.5 oz. sauteed onions
- 1 T butter
- 1/4 can coconut milk
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 156

Meal #3

- 1/3 lb. grass-fed beef
- 1 oz. provolone cheese
- 23 oz. broccoli
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

Meal #4

- 2 Coleman hotdogs
- 3 oz. mozzarella cheese

4 units lantus

Today's Numbers...

2010-05-30T04:06:00.001-07:00

Glucose: 113

Meal #1

- 6 sausage patties
- 23.5 oz. mixed veggies
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 146

Meal #2 (trained prior)

- 3 egg omelet
- 2 oz. mexican cheese
- 8 oz. pan-fried potatoes
- 2 T coconut oil
- 18 oz. asparagus
- 1 T olive oil
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 99

Meal #3

- 1/3 lb. grass-fed beef
- 1 oz. provolone cheese
- 21.5 oz. sauteed onions
- 8 oz. tomato
- 2 T coconut oil
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 137

Meal #4

- 2 Coleman hotdogs
- 4 oz. mozzarella
- 1/4 can coconut milk

0 units lantus

Today's Numbers...

2010-05-29T05:20:00.001-07:00

Glucose: 111

Meal #1

- 6 sausage patties
- 23 oz. broccoli
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 89

Meal #2

- 4 oz. chicken breast
- 24 oz. broccoli
- 1/4 can coconut milk
- 1 T butter
- 1 unit novalin

75 min: 112

Meal #3

- 2 Coleman hotdogs
- 4 oz. mozzarella cheese

0 units lantus

Today's Numbers...

2010-05-28T10:15:00.000-07:00

Glucose: 124

Meal #1

- 6 sausage patties
- 24 oz. mixed veggies
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 134

Meal #2 (trained prior)

- 3 egg omelet
- 2 oz. mexican cheese
- 5.5 oz. pan-fried potatoes
- 2 T coconut oil
- 18 oz. broccoli
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

75 minutes: 81

Meal #3

- 2 chicken sausage links
- 2 plates of veggies (~32 oz.?)
- ~ 1 T mystery oil/fat
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 114

Meal #4

- 2 Coleman hotdogs
- 3 oz. mozzarella cheese

4 units novalin

Today's Numbers...

2010-05-27T07:18:00.000-07:00

Glucose: 131

Meal #1

- 6 sausage patties
- 24 oz. mixed veggies
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 131

Meal #2 (trained prior)

- 3 egg omelet
- 2 oz. mexican cheese
- 5.5 oz. pan-fried potatoes
- 2 T coconut oil
- 18 oz. asparagus
- 1 T olive oil
- 3.5 oz. strawberries
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 88

Meal #3

- 2 chicken sausage links
- ~ 36 oz. mixed veggies
- ~ 1 T mystery oil/fat
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 122

Meal #4

- 3 Coleman hotdogs
- 2.5 oz. mozzarella cheese

7 units lantus

Today's Numbers...

2010-05-26T04:07:00.001-07:00

Glucose: 122

Meal #1

- 6 sausage patties
- 24 oz. mixed veggies
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 126

Meal #2

- 1/3 lb. grass-fed beef
- 1 oz. provolone
- 24 oz. mixed veggies
- 1 T butter
- 4 oz. strawberries
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 107

Meal #3

- 2 chicken sausage links
- 2 heaping plates of veggies (mostly broccoli, some asparagus)
- 1 T mystery oil/fat - seemed like butter again :)
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 125

Meal #4

- 1/3 lb. grass-fed beef
- 1 oz. provolone cheese
- 1/4 can coconut milk

7 units lantus

Today's Numbers...

2010-05-25T05:37:00.001-07:00

Glucose: 122

Meal #1

- 6 sausage patties
- 24 oz. broccoli
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 127

Meal #2 (trained prior)

- 3 egg omelet
- 2 oz. mexican cheese
- 8 oz. pan-fried potatoes
- 2 T coconut oil
- 3.5 oz. strawberries
- 1 lb. asparagus
- 1 T olive oil
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 107

Meal #3

- 6 turkey sausage links
- ~ 4 oz. tomato
- ~ 18 oz. cauliflower
- ~ 9 oz. broccoli
- ~ 7.5 oz. green squash
- ~ 6 oz. yellow squash
- ~ 1 T mystery fat/oil - butter maybe?
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 138*

Similar amounts in terms of ounces with veggies the last 2 days. Seemed to be prepared in butter today - at least to some degree - and my reading afterward seems to agree with that suspicion.

Meal #4

- 1/3 lb. grass-fed beef
- 1 oz. provolone cheese
- 1/4 can coconut milk

Totals: 3800 kcals

Fat: 277g
Carb: 177g
Protein: 184g

6 units lantus

Today's Numbers...

2010-05-24T03:09:00.000-07:00

Glucose: 122

Meal #1

- 6 sausage patties
- 24 oz. broccoli
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 112

Meal #2

- 6 turkey sausage links
- ~ 2.5 lbs. green beans
- 3 oz. strawberries
- 1-2 T mystery oil
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 175*

An apparent 'nother nail in the coffin for processed omega-6 FA. Last week I had approximately half a pound more green beans than today - a meal with >100g carbohydrates overall - which resulted in a much better post-prandial reading of 119.

The difference?

I can't say it is entirely the culprit - but last week my tastes buds told me those green beans were prepared in butter, whereas the taste and consistency of the fat on the plate today strongly lead me to believe they were cooked in a blended canola and/or vegetable oil.

Not even the vegetables are safe in this place!

Meal #3

- 2 chicken sausage links
- 24 oz. broccoli
- 1 T butter
- 1/4 can coconut milk
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 101

Meal #4

- 5 oz. mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 can coconut milk

Totals: 3450 kcals

Fat: 237g
Carb: 193g
Protein: 178g

6 units lantus

Today's Numbers...

2010-05-23T04:55:00.000-07:00

Glucose: 146

Meal #1

- 6 sausage patties
- 21 oz. broccoli
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 158

Meal #2 (trained prior)

- 3 egg omelet
- 2 oz. mexican cheese
- 8 oz. pan-fried potatoes
- 2 T coconut oil
- 1 lb. asparagus
- 1 T olive oil
- 3 oz. strawberries
- 1 oz. mozzarella cheese
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 99

Meal #3

- 1/2 slab pork ribs w/ home-made sauce
- 8 oz. asparagus
- 1 T olive oil
- 3 oz. strawberries
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 139

6 units lantus

Today's Numbers...

2010-05-22T04:11:00.000-07:00

Glucose: 142

Meal #1

- 6 sausage patties
- 24 oz. broccoli
- 1 T butter
- 2-3 units novalin

1 Hour: 125

Meal #2

- 5 Coleman hotdogs
- 6 oz. strawberries
- 1 unit novalin

1 Hour: 157

Meal #3

- 1/2 slab pork ribs w/ home-made sauce
- 1 lb. broccoli
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 94

Meal #4

- 1/3 lb. grass-fed beef
- 1 oz. provolone cheese
- 8 oz. tomato
- 1/2 T butter

6 units lantus

Today's Numbers...

2010-05-21T05:21:00.001-07:00

Glucose: 125

Meal #1

- 6 sausage patties
- 24 oz. broccoli
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 133

Meal #2 (trained prior)

- 3 egg omelet
- 2 oz. mexican cheese
- 6.5 oz. pan-fried potatoes
- 2 T coconut oil
- 1 lb. asparagus
- 1 T olive oil
- 4 oz. strawberries
- 1 oz. mozzarella cheese
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 90

Meal #3

- 1 slab pork ribs w/ home-made sauce
- 1 small baked potato
- ~ 1 lb. asparagus
- 1/2 T butter
- ~ 1 T olive oil
- 2 units novalin

6 units lantus

Today's Numbers...

2010-05-20T05:17:00.001-07:00

Glucose: 124

Meal #1

- 5 sausage patties
- 18 oz. mixed veggies
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 141

Meal #2

- 1/3 lb. grass-fed beef
- 1 oz. provolone cheese
- 14 oz. asparagus
- 1 T olive oil
- 1/4 can coconut milk
- 4 oz. strawberries
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 91

Meal #3

- 6 turkey sausage links
- 4 oz. strawberries
- ~ 3 lb. green beans
- ~ 4 oz. cauliflower
- ~ 3 oz. broccoli
- ~ 2 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 119

Totals: 3000 kcals

Fat: 200g
Carb: 179g
Protein: 143g

6 units lantus

The Mainstream Catching On..Finally?

2010-05-19T10:59:00.000-07:00

From today's Wall Street Journal - Why the Hightop Has One Foot in the Grave.

"These shoe makers are good at selling shoes—science, not so much."

Today's Numbers...

2010-05-19T05:29:00.001-07:00

Glucose: 149

Meal #1

- 6 sausage patties
- 24 oz. mixed veggies
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 128

Meal #2 (trained prior)

- 3 egg omelet
- 2 oz. mexican cheese
- 6.5 oz. pan-fried potatoes
- 2 T coconut oil
- 14 oz. asparagus
- 1 T olive oil
- 8 oz. tomato
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

75 min: 110

Meal #3

- 2 chicken sausage links
- ~ 42 oz. mixed veggies
- ~ 1 T mystery oil
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 124

Meal #4

- 1/3 lb. grass-fed beef
- 1 oz. provolone cheese
- 10 oz. mixed veggies
- 1/2 T butter

Totals: 3900 kcals

Fat: 265g
Carb: 197g
Protein: 198g

6 units lantus

At It Again...

2010-05-18T12:59:00.001-07:00

I finally got something to ruffle my feathers enough to go for the one of the few papers I haven't been in. From today's Wall Street Journal - A Guilt-Free Hamburger.

My response:

While saturated fat may be believed to be a factor in increased heart disease risk, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s true – as the new study from the Harvard School of Public Health, and the meta-analysis by Dr. Krauss are clearly indicating otherwise (A Guilt-Free Hamburger, May 18).

Unfortunately, many of the comments made by medical professionals within the article illustrate the prevailing mindset to continue clinging to such dogmatic beliefs in the face of evidence to the contrary. While Dr. Eckel is encouraged to be cautious in examining the “scientific value” of these and other studies, I wonder where such discerning eyes were with the study that got us to fear saturated fat in the first place. There, Ancels Keys omitted approximately two-thirds of the data in order to fit his pre-conceived hypothesis – saturated fat should have never been vilified in the first place. To date, there have been zero studies proving saturated fat has anything to do with heart disease.

The input from Mr. Hodges of the American Meat Institute is no better, stating the “body of evidence clearly demonstrates that processed meat is a healthy part of a balanced diet.” Is he referring the staggering rates of increase in obesity, diabetes, and a host of other ills plaguing our nation’s health? I suppose we are to ignore the extreme conflict of interest present here. Saying the results conflict with national dietary guidelines is just as laughable of a defense, as those guidelines are often derived from such poor science as the aforementioned Ancel Keys work – they too have had their part in the decline of our health.

While saturated fats are associated with higher levels of cholesterol, the increases are in the “good” HDL, and the harmless “fluffy” large particle LDL – making the point mute. Additionally, dietary cholesterol intake has a negligible effect on blood cholesterol in the majority of people. Cholesterol is actually an essential nutrient, avoiding it is misguided at best. Now that we are seeing there is no basis for outlawing saturated fat, we are going after salt. What happens when we find out salt isn’t the problem either? The science behind salt intake and blood pressure is inconclusive as well. The vilification of unprocessed nutrients like saturated fat and salt that have been a part of various healthy societies since the beginning of time is illogical - while nitrates and other additives new to human consumption barely garner a mention.

Dr. Mozaffarian hits the nail on the head when he says we need to stop “trying to micromanage nutrients and look at the healthy quality of foods.” That means to stop eating processed foods that have been stripped of all their nutritional value – only to be replaced by Franken-gredients not fit for human consumption.

I can only hope the good doctor is just as accurate when he says “Maybe the science is catching up with the intuitive sense.” Our health depends on it.

Today's Numbers...

2010-05-18T07:19:00.000-07:00

I lost my meter at some point last week, which is why I haven't posted readings for the past week or so.

Glucose: 152*

* 0 units lantus last night

Meal #1

- 6 sausage patties
- 19 asparagus spears
- 1 T olive oil
- 1/4 can coconut milk
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 149

Meal #2

- 4 Coleman hotdogs
- 1 oz. mozzarella cheese
- 19 asparagus spears
- 1 T olive oil
- 8 oz. tomato
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

75 min: 116

Meal #3

- 2 chicken sausage links
- ~ 2.5 plates of asparagus
- ~ 2 T mystery oil
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 106

Meal #4

- 3 Coleman hotdogs
- 8 oz. mixed veggies
- .5 T butter

Totals: 3900 kcals

Fat: 308g
Carb: 115g
Protein: 157g

6 units lantus

Unlike Slick Willy, I Inhaled....

2010-05-13T05:25:00.000-07:00

My food that is. This is a topic I have been watching closely over the past few weeks which I was reminded of by a recent article at Science Daily - Jurassic Fast Food Was a Key to Giant Dinosaurs.

Like any teenager, I certainly was picky about what I ate. On top of that, my dad was going to culinary school at the time. Suffice it to say I spent many an evening at the dinner table with food on the plate I had no desire to eat. But I did want to go back out and play. Problem was, I couldn't do that until I finished my food. Initially, I stubbornly picked at prodded at these foreign foods on my plate - often taking over an hour to eat a a plate full of food.

For whatever reason, one day I had an epiphany and realized my Dad was telling the truth - finish the food and I could indeed leave and go back outside. And eat I did. I inhaled. A story he loves to tell - and much better than I - to this day. This newly found practice came long for the ride when I started college.

Again, like any normal college student, I had no desire to get up any earlier than I had to. I would often set the alarm for 45 minutes before my first class. In this time I had to shower, get dressed, get to the dining hall and eat breakfast, and arrive in class on time. This lead to a true refinement of my inhaling ways - something I have carried with me ever since. Just about every woman I have ever dated has commented on the speed at which I devour my meals - probably because I wasn't talking to them at all with being so preoccupied with my food!

So what am I getting at?

From the article above:

"Why were the sauropod dinosaurs able to get so much larger than today's terrestrial animals? A research group led by the University of Bonn seems to have solved this puzzle. According to this research Jurassic fast food culture was a key to gigantism. The giant dinosaurs did not chew their food -- they just gulped it down."

Hmmmm. Sounds familiar - maybe I have a little dinosaur in me? The Paleo crowd gots nothing on me!

The article goes on to explain:

"Chewing helps to digest the food faster. By the grinding process it is broken down and at the same time its surface is enlarged. This way the digestive enzymes are able to attack the food more easily."

Recently however, for whatever reason, I have been making a conscience effort to slow down when I eat. Chew thoroughly. Thoroughly enjoy every bite.

What I have noticed almost every time - better glucose response. Lower numbers eating the same meals. Something I will be continuing to keep an eye on.

But what might the implications of this information be on a larger scale? What about are own fast-food culture? In a recent article in the WSJ - Our Big Problem - the author states that "for much of the population, family meals are a ritual of the past."

No wonder McDonald's has Over One Billion Served.

Many, if not all of us, are aware of the dangers of eating processed foods. However, we obviously are still eating it in super-sized amounts. The common excuse is a lack of time. Always on the run. Do you think these people are taking the time to slow down, chew, and enjoy the poison they are ingesting? What about those on starvation diets and other silliness? When they get those cravings and the ravenous hunger that eventually comes without fail - think they take much time to chew-up?

I commented on the decline in our nation's health over the past two generations here. Many have, and correctly so, layed blame at the foot of the introduction of processed foods and additives like HFCS and the fat-phobia that followed. But are we neglecting one other factor that began occurring in the same general time frame?

The breakdown of the family unit.

And I'm not just talking about the easily targeted single-parent homes. What of that other change coming along with the Industrial Revolution and WWII - the entering into the workforce of the now almost extinct stay-at-home parent. It's almost essential in today's economy that both parents work. You don't find many households where one parent can afford to stay at home.

Whether you have a single-parent home, or one with two that both have to work 50-60+ hours a week - how much difference really is there? It seems apparent to me you get a generation of children raised by TV, computers, and fast-food either way.

Indeed, the sit-down family meal and passing down of family recipes do become dinosaurs in their own right. The author goes on to state:

"...the unemployed and the single parents that I used to visit as a doctor, I would find no evidence of cooking ever having been done there. Fatty take-away meals and ready-prepared foods heated in the microwave were the diet, together with almost constant snacks. There was not even a table to eat at: an absence that was not the consequence of raw poverty, since the flat-screen television would have been large enough, turned horizontal, to serve as a dining table."

An ever growing divergence from an environment which relies on and values REAL foods, to one fueling a dependency on processed and fast-foods. Quick and cheap - at least until you receive your health-care bills. A vicious cycle completed over and over again - one generation to the next.

Meal frequency also interestingly pops up again in both articles as well. The University of Bonn dinosaur research group states "the larger an animal is, the more time it spends eating." While the author from the WSJ comments on the circumstances and effects from an environment in which "children graze or forage." Despite the matter-of-fact recommendation to eat 5-6 small meals per day to "rev up the metabolism " from the health & fitness industry, the science behind it is sketchy at best - as layed out here.

So what can we do? The author from the WSJ goes on to explain the futility of government intervention and prohibition:

"By taking on responsibility for the health consequences of obesity, the government has given itself the locus standi to interfere in many aspects of human existence. If obesity kills, is it not the government's duty to prevent it? He who pays the doctor decides the prophylaxis. Positive encouragement of healthy eating won't work, nor mere printed warnings that some foods are unhealthy (people who are prepared to eat doughnuts with pink and blue icing are unlikely to desist on learning that they contain nothing good for the bowels or any other organ).

As usual, therefore, prohibition beckons. Regulation of the sugar and fat content of ready-prepared and fast foods is likely to be proposed and perhaps eventually accepted, though not without a very fierce rear-guard action by the food industry. If John Doe will not eat his greens, Uncle Sam will make him, if necessary by restricting the availability of other foods."

Instead, he suggests teaching children to cook and eat together. A great idea in my opinion. Indeed, this has been one of the silver linings of my diabetes cloud. Prior to being diagnosed, my most elaborate dishes consisted of things like Kraft Mac N' Cheese. My culinary skills have since improved exponentially - and it's been an enjoyable process to boot!

Today's Numbers...

2010-05-07T05:47:00.000-07:00

Glucose: 135

Meal #1

- 6 sausage patties
- 16 oz. mixed veggies
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 142

Meal #2 (trained prior)

- 3 egg omelet
- 2 oz. mexican cheese
- 5.5 oz. pan-fried potatoes
- 2 T coconut oil
- 12 oz. asparagus
- 1 T olive oil
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 71

Meal #3

- 2 chicken sausage links
- ~1 oz. snap peas
- ~4 oz. tomato
- ~4 oz. cauliflower
- ~13 oz. green beans
- 6 slices green squash
- 5 slices yellow squash
- ~1 T mystery oil
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 118

Meal #4

- 4 Coleman hotdogs
- 12 oz. mixed veggies
- 1 T butter

Totals: 3800 kcals

Fat: 286g
Carb: 155g
Proetin: 153g

Counting More Sheep

2010-05-06T11:00:00.000-07:00

One Sleepless Night Can Induce Insulin Resistance in Healthy People - ScienceDaily.com

I briefly touched on the subject of sleep and glucose control here. The researchers in this case state that "just one night of short sleep duration can induce insulin resisitance."

The lead author of the study goes on to state:

"Our data indicate that insulin sensitivity is not fixed in healthy subjects, but depends on the duration of sleep in the preceding night," said Donga. "In fact it is tempting to speculate that the negative effects of multiple nights of shortened sleep on glucose tolerance can be reproduced, at least in part, by just one sleepless night."

Just one more piece of the puzzle.

Related reading:

How Much Do You Need to Sleep Every Night to Prevent Weight Gain? - Mercola.com

Too Much Or Too Little Sleep Increases Risk Of Diabetes - ScienceDaily.com

Today's Numbers...

2010-05-06T04:57:00.000-07:00

Glucose: 155

Meal #1

- 10 oz. pork ribs w/ excess sauce wiped off
- 12 oz. asparagus
- 1 T olive oil
- 3 units novalin

1 Hour: 167

Meal #2

- 2 chicken sausage links
- ~ 36 oz. mixed veggies
- ~1 T mystery oil
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 134

Meal #3

- 8.5 oz. pork ribs w/ sauce wiped off
- 8 oz. tomato
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

Totals: 2600 kcals

Fat: 164g
Carb: 88g
Protein: 185g

0 units lantus

Today's Numbers...

2010-05-05T01:16:00.000-07:00

Glucose: 117

Meal #1

- 6 sausage patties
- 17 oz. mixed veggies
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 121

Meal #2

- 2 chicken sausage links
- ~ 26 oz. broccoli
- ~ 1 T mystery oil
- 2 units novalin

90 min: 148

Meal #3 (trained prior)

- 3 egg omelet
- 2 oz. mexican cheese
- 21 asparagus spears
- 5.5 oz. pan-fried potatoes
- 2 T coconut oil
- 1 T olive oil
- 1 unit novalin

1 Hour: 88

Meal #4

- small salad w/ tomatoes & shredded cheese
- basalmic vinegar & olive oil
- ~ 12 fresh asparagus spears
- rack and a half pork ribs w/ home-made sauce 16-18 oz.?
- 1 unit novalin

0 units lantus

Today's Numbers...

2010-05-04T04:39:00.001-07:00

Glucose: 106

Meal #1

- 5 sausage patties
- 16 oz. mixed veggies
- 1 T butter
- ~ 1 oz. beef jerky
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 158

Meal #2

- 5 Coleman hotdogs
- 8 oz. tomatoes
- 6 asparagus spears
- 2 oz. strawberries
- 1 T butter
- 1/2 T olive oil
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 83

Meal #3

- 2 chicken sausage links
- ~ 44 oz. broccoli
- 3 pieces cauliflower
- ~1 T mystery ooil
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 119

Meal #4

- 2 Coleman hotdogs
- 8 oz. tomato
- 1 T butter

Totals: 3600 kcals

Fat: 256g
Carb: 159g
Protein: 169

0 units lantus

Today's Numbers...

2010-05-03T01:41:00.001-07:00

Glucose: 101

Meal #1

- 5 sausage patties
- 16 oz. mixed veggies
- 1 T butter
- 1 oz. beef jerky
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 125

Meal #2

- 2 chicken sausage links
- ~12 oz. broccoli
- ~12 oz. cauliflower
- 3 oz. strawberries
- ~1 T mystery oil
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 124

Meal #3

- 1 Coleman hotdog
- 1 marinated chicken breast
- 16 oz. mixed veggies
- 1 T butter
- mixed greens salad w/ shredded mexican cheese
- 1T olive oil and balsamic vinegar
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 117

Totals: 2400 kcals

Fat: 167g
Carb: 125g
Protein: 125g

0 units lantus

Today's Numbers...

2010-05-02T04:52:00.001-07:00

Temp: 97.7
Glucose: 112

Meal #1

- 5 sausage patties
- 16 oz. mixed veggies
- 1 T butter
- 1 oz. beef jerky
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 126

Meal #2 (trained prior)

- 3 egg omelet
- 2 oz. mexican cheese
- 6 oz. pan-fried potatoes
- 2 T coconut oil
- 12 asparagus spears
- 1 T olive oil
- 4 oz. strawberries
- 1 oz. beef jerky
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 92

Meal #3

- 1/3 lb. grass-fed beef
- 1 oz. provolone cheese
- 8 oz. tomato
- 13 asparagus spears
- 1 T butter
- 1 T olive oil
- 1 oz. beef jerky
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 103

Totals: 3200 kcals

Fat: 243g
Carb: 120g
Protein: 150g

0 units lantus

Today's Numbers...

2010-05-01T05:15:00.000-07:00

Temp: 98
Glucose: 100

Meal #1

- 5 sausage patties
- 24 oz. broccoli
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

85 min: 103

Meal #2

- 1/3 lb. grass-fed beef
- 1 oz. provolone cheese
- 13 oz. broccoli
- 1 T butter
- 11 asparagus spears
- 1 T olive oil
- 3.5 oz. strawberries
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 71

Meal #3

- 1/3 lb. grass-fed beef
- 1 oz. provolone cheese
- 8 oz. tomato
- 10 asparagus spears
- 1.75 oz beef jerky
- 1 T butter
- 1 T olive oil
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 91

Totals: 2900 kcals

Fat: 204g
Carb: 114g
Protein: 158g

0 units lantus

Today's Numbers...

2010-04-30T05:03:00.001-07:00

Temp: 97.9
Glucose: 103

Meal #1

- 1/3 lb. grass-fed beef
- 1 oz. provolone
- 24 oz. broccoli
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 125

Meal #2 (trained prior)

- 3 egg omelet
- 2 oz. mexican cheese
- 2 T coconut oil
- 6 oz. pan-fried potatoes
- 18 asparagus spears
- 8 oz. tomato
- 1 T olive oil
- 1/2 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 85

Meal #3

- 2 chicken sausage links
- ~ 4 oz. tomato
- ~ 4 oz. strawberries
- ~ 3 oz. cauliflower
- ~ 20 oz. broccoli
- ~ 20 oz. squash
- ~2 T mystery oil
- 2 units novalin

Force-fed myself a bit here and ate little too much; I feel like I'm on fire. Sweating as I type this.

1 Hour: 94

Totals: 2800 kcals

Fat: 177g
Carb: 180g
Protein: 158g

5 units lantus

Today's Numbers...

2010-04-29T04:41:00.000-07:00

Temp: 97.9
Glucose: 130

Meal #1

- 1/3 lb. grass-fed beef
- 1 oz. provolone cheese
- 26 oz. mixed veggies
- 1 T butter
- 3 units novalin

1 Hour: 154

Meal #2

- 2 chicken sausage links
- 4 oz. strawberries
- ~ 3 plates vegetables
- ~ 2 T mystery oil
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 107

Totals: 1600 kcals

Fat: 77g
Carb: 139g
Protein: 116g

6 units lantus

Today's Numbers...

2010-04-28T05:38:00.000-07:00

Temp: 98
Glucose: 144

Meal #1

- 1/3 lb. grass-fed beef
- 1 oz. provolone cheese
- 23 oz. mixed veggies
- 1 T butter
- 3 units novalin

1 Hour: 174

Meal #2 (trained prior)

- 3 egg omelet
- 2 oz, mexican cheese
- 6.5 oz. pan-fried potatoes
- 2 T coconut oil
- 16 asparagus spears
- 1 T olive oil
- 1 T butter
- 8 oz. tomato
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 115

Meal #3

- 2 chicken sausage links
- ~ 14 oz. tomato
- ~ 1 T olive oil
- 4 oz. strawberries
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 89

Totals: 2300 kcals

Fat: 147g
Carb: 130g
Protein: 129g

7 units lantus

Today's Numbers...

2010-04-27T05:12:00.000-07:00

Temp: 97.8
Glucose: 143

Meal #1

- 5 sausage patties
- 25 oz. mixed veggies
- 1 T butter
- 3 units novalin

80 Min: 165

Meal #2

- 2 chicken sausage links
- 4 oz. strawberries
- 1 can coconut milk
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 103

Meal #3 (trained prior)

- 3 egg omelet
- 2 oz. mexican cheese
- 2 T coconut oil
- 6.5 oz. pan-fried potatoes
- 8 oz. tomato
- 18 asparagus spears
- 1 T olive oil
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 128

Meal #4

- 1.75 oz. beef jerky
- 17.5 oz. mixed veggies
- 1 T butter
- 7 units lantus

Totals: 3700 kcals

Fat: 285g
Carb: 169g
Protein: 150g

Today's Numbers...

2010-04-26T01:46:00.001-07:00

Temp: 98.1
Glucose: 99

Meal #1

- 5 sausage patties
- 21.5 oz. mixed veggies
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 134

Meal #2

- 2 chicken sausage links
- 16 oz. tomato
- 20 asparagus spears
- 1 T olive oil
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

Meal #3 (retaurant)

- rack and a half ribs (YUM!)
- broccoli
- green beans
- 2 units novalin

7 units lantus

Today's Numbers...

2010-04-25T04:37:00.001-07:00

Temp: 98.1
Glucose: 124

Meal #1

- 5 sausage patties
- 24 oz. broccoli
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 148

Meal #2 (trained prior)

- 3 egg omelet
- 2 oz. mexican cheese
- 6.5 oz. pan-fried potatoes
- 2 T coconut oil
- 19 asparagus spears
- 1 T olive oil
- 3.5 oz. strawberries
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 76

Meal #3

- 1/3 lb. grass-fed beef
- 1 oz. provolone cheese
- 15 oz. broccoli
- 8 oz. tomato
- 3.5 oz. strawberries
- 1 T butter
- 1/2 T olive oil
- 2 units novalin

Totals: 3000 kcals

Fat: 218g
Carb: 154g
Protein: 141g

5 units lantus

Today's Numbers...

2010-04-24T04:55:00.000-07:00

Temp: 98.1
Glucose: 117

Meal #1

- 1/3 lb. grass-fed beef
- 1 oz. provolone
- 24 oz. broccoli
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 109

Meal #2

- 1/3 lb. grass-fed beef
- 1 oz. provolone cheese
- 21 asparagus spears
- 12.5 oz. broccoli
- 1 T olive oil
- 1 T butter
- 4 oz. strawberries
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 98

Meal #3

- 1 pkg. Coleman bacon
- 14 oz. sauteed onion
- 7 oz. tomato
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

Totals: 2200 kcals

Fat: 135g
Carb: 133g
Protein: 137g

5 units lantus

Today's Numbers...

2010-04-23T04:13:00.000-07:00

Temp: 97.8
Glucose: 116

Meal #1

- 5 sausage patties
- 24 oz. broccoli
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 123

Meal #2 (trained prior)

- 3 egg omelet
- 2 oz. mexican cheese
- 18 asparagus spears
- 6.5 oz. pan-fried potatoes
- 4.5 oz. strawberries
- 1 T butter
- 1 T olive oil
- 1 T coconut oil
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 81

Meal #3

- 4.5 oz. kielbasa
- 4.5 oz. strawberries
- 2 heaping plates mixed veggies
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 139

Totals: 3200 kcals

Fat: 230g
Carb: 182g
Protein: 124g

5 units lantus

More Musings...

2010-04-22T04:51:00.001-07:00

Update: This piece was also published in the USAToday on April, 26th, found here.

The piece I submitted to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that I originally previewed here, was published, and can be found here - albeit slightly edited. Today I will include the text for another piece submitted to the USAToday and currently under consideration.

RE: Do Food Stamps Feed Obesity? - USAToday

While I can’t say with certainty that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (Do Food Stamps Feed Obesity? April, 20) is necessarily feeding obesity, like those organizations charged with recommending our dietary guidelines – it isn’t helping.

Getting kids to eat healthier is indeed a very important long-term goal. The impact on healthcare costs from doing so effectively would be enormous. However, the assertion that school lunches already have to meet “reasonable standards” is laughable. French-fries bathed in vegetable/canola oil counting as vegetables, and flavored milk containing more sugar than soda are not “reasonable” – they are incompetent. We can’t feed kids pizza and chicken patties everyday for twelve years and not expect them to later develop health issues or obesity.

Similar negligence also emanates from organizations like the FDA, American Heart Association, and American Diabetes Association - among others. Despite scientific evidence to the contrary, these folks still cling to dogma which vilifies something as harmless as saturated fat, while extolling the benefits of toxic substances like canola oil and margarine. Such misinformation then infiltrates our curriculums that, absent critical thinking and a self-emphasis on continuing education, produce a nation full of MDs and RDs that dispense outdated and inaccurate nutritional information.

SNAP, like many others, needs reform. Even as a 16 year-old grocery clerk, I could see the lunacy of the Woman, Infants, and Children (WIC) program providing for 64 oz. cans of JuicyJuice and sugar-laden breakfast cereals. But unless the reform is based on good science with an emphasis on real, unprocessed food - the war on obesity will be about as successful as the war on drugs.

Today's Numbers...

2010-04-22T03:52:00.000-07:00

Temp: 97.8
Glucose: 128

Meal #1

- 5 sausage patties
- 24 oz. broccoli
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 132

Meal #2 (trained prior)

- 3 egg omelet
- 2 oz. mexican cheese
- 6.5 oz. pan-fried potatoes
- 16 asparagus spears
- 11 oz. broccoli
- 1.5 oz. strawberries
- 2 T coconut oil
- 1 T butter
- 1 T olive oil
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 111

Meal #3

- 1/2 lb. hamburger
- ~ 7 oz. tomato
- ~14 oz. broccoli
- ~5.5 oz. cauliflower
- 3.5 oz. strawberries
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 108

Meal #4

- 19 oz. broccoli
- 1 T butter
- 1/4 can coconut milk
- 5 units lantus

Totals: 3700 kcals

Fat: 264g
Carb: 210g
Protein: 169g

Wu-Tang Is For The Children!

2010-04-21T05:40:00.000-07:00

Well ODB, I don't know if Wu-Tang is for the children, but the rest of us should be - how will you?

From MSN - Obesity Epidemic May Cut Life Spans of Young Adults

...The study authors report that one in five people born between 1966 and 1985 became obese -- a step above merely overweight -- when they were between 20 and 29 years old.

By contrast, those who were born from 1946 to 1955 didn't reach the level of obesity until they were in their 30s. And those who were born between 1936 and 1945 didn't get to that weight category until their 40s ...

Wow. Startling trend huh? We now manage to become obese ~20 years quicker than we did just two generations ago - and we aren't slowing down. The current generation of children will become the first to have a life expectancy shorter than their own parents! Take a moment to let that marinate a bit.

This generation of children will become the first to have a life expectancy shorter than their own parents!

If you have children - or are planning to have children - that has to concern you. Might even piss you off. I know it pisses me off, and I don't even want children. But I do have two younger brothers, ages 16 and 12. I am concerned for them - they don't know any better. I hope they never know what it's like to have prick their finger after every meal, or become so skilled with a syringe that they could moonlight as phlebotomists. Unfortunately, the statistics suggest they likely will.

But not if there is anything I can do about it.

The staggering increases in the rates of obesity and diabetes in children have been well documented. If you are indeed Smarter Than a 5th Grader, it's also not hard to comprehend the ENORMOUS impact these numbers have on health care costs. Ahhh the costs - one of the largest arguments against the most recent health care bill. Who is going to pay for all of this? A question that does need to be asked, but one that is well out of the scope of this post.

Indeed, the costs are staggering. You would be hard pressed to find anyone who wouldn't think lowering health care costs is a huge positive. But what costs exactly have everyone so up in arms? Treatment costs right? Seems to me as though someone has forgot equations have two sides.

Couldn't costs be also substantially lowered through prevention? If there is nothing to treat, there is no cost! Seems like a logical approach to me. Are we saying - "Oh we tried that and it didn't work?" It's almost as if the FDA, USDA, AHA, ADA, etc. have all collectively thrown their hands up in the air and shouted - NO MAS! I am the only one that hears no one talking about prevention anymore?

The above statistics seem to suggest that the preventative strategies we have implemented that were recommended by the above agencies have been an utter and colossal failure - and indeed they have been! But WHY? Instead of giving up on prevention, why are we not questioning the methods with which we have been using with ZERO success?

How can we possibly say we have tried prevention when we look at our nation's school lunch programs? Pizza for breakfast and lunch? French fries as vegetables? We don't truly expect people to eat well or be healthy after feeding them crap for 2/3's of the day for 12-16 years of their life do we? They don't even know how! Large masses of "experts" still operating under the fallacies of healthy canola oil and dangerous saturated fat is bad enough - but french fries counting as vegetables? Who is making guidelines like those? What are their qualifications? Are they obese? All fair questions in my opinion.

The appointment of Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin - who is obese - was justifiably criticized due to her weight. Her response was that she understands "what it's like to be overweight" and that she would help us become a healthier nation. Lot's of people understand what it's like to be overweight - about 67% of the population at last check - that doesn't make you qualified to do anything about it. If you haven't been able to help yourself, how are you going to help anyone else? By no means does she need to look like a figure competitor - that would most likely be just as bad as being obese - but she is a posterchild for that 67%. If the message is that we just have to keep trying harder - using the same tired methods we have been - our ever declining health will continue.

We need to get back to real, nutrient-dense, unprocessed food. We need to get back to using good science - not what passes for good science (or is it a good headline?) these days. These changes need to happen not only in our homes, but in our schools, and perhaps most of all....in academia. A stronger emphasis on continuing education for our medical and health professionals is in order as well. Only then will we begin to reverse the dangerous downward spriral we have been in for the past 2 generations.

Today's Numbers...

2010-04-21T04:08:00.001-07:00

Temp: 97.8
Glucose: 117

Meal #1

- 5 sausage patties
- 24 oz. mixed veggies
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 124

Meal #2

- 1/3 lb. grass fed beef
- 1 oz. provolone cheese
- 24 oz. mixed veggies
- 1T butter
- 1/2 can coconut milk
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 101

Meal #3

- 4 oz. kielbasa
- 3 oz. strawberries
- ~ 14 oz. toamtoes
- ~ 7 oz. cucumber
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 116

Meal #4

- 1/3 lb. grass fed beef
- 1 oz. provolone cheese
- 24 oz. broccoli
- 1 T butter
- 1/4 can coconut milk
- 5 units lantus

Totals: 3500 kcals

Fat: 246g
Carb: 180g
Protein: 175g

If They Were Really Interested in Reducing Deaths....

2010-04-20T05:22:00.000-07:00

Washington Post - FDA takes aim at salt content in processed food:Regulator says limits will reduce deaths, but many fear taste will suffer

"...Most salt eaten by Americans -- 77 percent -- comes from processed foods ..."

Assuming that "excess" sodium is harmful - the science is far from clear on that - the above statistic seems to suggest it would make more sense to target processed foods than simply attacking the amount of salt within them.

But I guess if we got rid of processed foods we wouldn't need the FDA anymore - and when is the last time you saw the government get smaller?

Time will tell if this is yet another misguided attempt at "saving" us.

Like...

- eggs are bad for you.
- saturated fat causes heart disease.
- red meat kills.
- butter is bad, have margarine instead!

But these are perfectly ok for you...

- high fructose corn syrup
- partially hydrogenated corn/soybean oils
- sodium nitrates/-ites

Whew! Sure glad I have Big Brother looking out for my health - aren't you?

Today's Numbers...

2010-04-20T04:16:00.001-07:00

Temp: 98.1
Glucose: 130

Meal #1

- 5 sausage patties
- 24 oz. mixed veggies
- 1 T butter
- 2.5 oz. strawberries
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 168

Meal #2 (trained prior)

- 3 egg omelet
- 2 oz. mexican cheese
- 6.5 oz. pan-fried potatoes
- 2 T coconut oil
- 17 asparagus spears
- 1 T olive oil
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 66

Meal #3

- 3 oz. kielbasa
- ~ 8 oz. tomato
- 4 oz. strawberries
- ~ 2.5 oz. broccoli
- ~ 2 oz. cauliflower
- ~ 14 oz. green beans
- ~ 1 T mystery fat/oil
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 124

Meal #4

- 1/3 lb. grass fed beef
- 1 oz. provolone cheese
- 17 oz. mixed veggies
- 1 T butter
- 5 units lantus

Totals: 3400 kcals

Fat: 234g
Carb: 198g
Protein: 154g

Today's Numbers...

2010-04-19T01:45:00.001-07:00

Temp: 97.6
Glucose: 126*

* Normally I get up on my own between 7-7:30 AM, but this is now the third day in a row of being awoken by alarm 3-4 hours earlier due to my changing work schedule - and I'm feeling it today. I can speculate that may be having a small role in the slightly increased fasted readings the last two mornings. Also, 2 of the 3 days I have awoken with a glucose reading >100 in the past week and a half I had in excess of 160-170g of protein the day prior - all other days less.

Meal #1

- 5 sausage patties
- 24 oz. broccoli
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 127

Meal #2

- 4 oz. kielbasa
- ~ 20 oz. tomatoes
- ~ 5 oz. cucumber
- 1 banana
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 120

Meal #3

- 3 egg omelet
- 2 oz. mexican cheese
- 1 T coconut oil
- 18 asparagus spears
- 1 T olive oil
- 24 oz. mixed veggies
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 146

5 units lantus

Totals: 2900 kcals

Fat: 206g
Carb: 166g
Protein: 120g

Today's Numbers...

2010-04-18T04:45:00.000-07:00

Temp: 97.6
Glucose: 111

Meal #1

- 1/2 lb. grass fed beef
- 1 oz. provolone cheese
- 20 asaparagus spears
- 1 T olive oil
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 130

Meal #2

- 2.5 oz. kielbasa
- 24 oz. broccoli
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 105

Meal #3 (trained prior)

- 3 egg omelet
- 2 oz. mexican cheese
- 1 T coconut oil
- 16 oz. broccoli
- 1 T butter
- 6.5 oz. red potatoes
- 1 T olive oil
- 1/4 can coconut milk
- 1 unit novalin

1 Hour: 100

Meal #4

- 16 oz. broccoli
- 1 T butter
- 5 units lantus

Totals: 2800 kcals

Fat: 186g
Carb: 161g
Protein: 154g

Today's Numbers...

2010-04-17T02:47:00.001-07:00

Temp: 97.6
Glucose: 90

Meal #1

- 1/2 lb. grass fed beef
- 1 oz. provolone cheese
- 18 asparagus spears
- 1 T olive oil
- 1/4 can coconut milk
- 1 unit novalin

1 Hour: 126

Meal #2

- 5 sausage patties
- 12 oz. broccoli
- 8 oz. tomato
- 1/2 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 104

Meal #3

- 4 oz. kielbasa
- 12 oz. broccoli
- 8 oz. tomato
- 1/2 T butter
- 1 unit novalin

1 Hour: 114

Meal #4 (trained prior)

- 3 egg omelet
- 2 oz. mexican cheese
- 6.5 oz. red potatoes
- 16 asparagus spears
- 2 T coconut oil
- 1 .5 T olive oil
- 1 unit novalin

Meal #5

- 16 oz. broccoli
- 1 T butter
- 5 units lantus

Totals: 4000 kcals

Fat: 302g
Carb: 168g
Protein: 184g

Today's Numbers...

2010-04-16T04:43:00.000-07:00

Temp: 97.6
Glucose: 81

Meal #1

- 1/2 lb. grass fed beef
- 1 oz. provolone cheese
- 12 oz. mixed veggies
- 1 T butter
- 19 asparagus spears
- 1 T olive oil
- 1 unit novalin

1 Hour: 103

Meal #2

- 1/2 lb. grass fed beef
- 1 oz. provolone cheese
- 18 asparagus spears
- 8 oz. tomato
- 3 oz. pickles
- 1/4 can coconut milk
- 1 T olive oil
- 1 unit novalin

1 Hour: 88

Meal #3

- 4 oz. kielbasa
- 3 brussel sprouts
- ~12 oz. tomato
- 3 pcs. cauliflower
- ~14 oz. green beans
- ~ 1 T unknown fat
- 1 unit novalin

1 Hour: 124

Totals: 2400 kcals

Fat: 149g
Carb: 118g
Protein: 161g

6 units lantus

Today's Numbers...

2010-04-15T04:42:00.000-07:00

Temp: 97.7
Glucose: 93

Meal #1

- 5 sausage patties
- 28 oz. mixed veggies
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 89

Meal #2 (trained prior)

- 3 egg omelet
- 2 oz. mexican cheese
- 5 oz. pan-fried potatoes
- 19 asparagus spears
- 2 T coconut oil
- 1 T olive oil
- 1 unit novalin

1 Hour: 96

Meal #3

- 5 oz. kielbasa
- ~ 17 oz. tomato
- ~ 15 oz. green beans
- ~ 1 T of unknown fat
- 1 unit novalin

1 Hour: 115

Meal #4

- 2 oz. kielbasa
- 16 oz. mixed veggies
- 1 T butter
- 7 units lantus

Totals: 3500 kcals

Fat: 256g
Carb: 195g
Protein: 134g

Dancing With the Devil

2010-04-14T12:11:00.000-07:00

Recently the facility I work at entered into an agreement to push GNC products - due in large part that one of our members holds one of the alphabet soup positions for GNC.

I'm your pusher!

Today it was time to stock up on product - or re-up as they used to say in the 'hood. So one of our employees returns with the usual assortment of fish oil, multi-vitamin and glucosamine-chondroitin - only to be accompanied by the latest and greatest supplement about to XPLODE....

Coconut Water

Apparently the stuff is the "new" Gatorade. Yippee do dah. With only one ingredient, at least it's not as processed as the "old" Gatorade- but really, nothing remarkable about it. No protein. No fat. Incomplete at best.

The scene that followed it's arrival however, was nothing short of disturbing. Supposedly educated health & fitness professionals with years of experience clamoring all over the stuff and the rest of the goodies like we were filming our on Christmas Story re-make. Unfortunately there was no Red Rider BB-Gun to shoot my eyes out, as it was a somewhat desireable outcome at the time.

But this is Pittsburgh, and Sidney Crosby is purported to be a fan of this magical water, so I really shouldn't be surprised. But surely as a surprise to most of you, I was able to withstand Sid the Kid's charm and not partake in the devouring of this precious coconut water. I guess I just felt I hadn't sufficiently depleted my glycogen stores with my HITT* session, and therefore wasn't worthy.

If this weren't enough to test my resolve we were also treated with GNC's latest issue of their Muscle & Body publication. Oh boy. The signs of the coming apocalyspe are plentiful today. Right on the cover is the nice big headline -

6 Top Supplements for Teens

Really?

Teens?

Going the route of the tabacco companies with the Get 'em while they're young approach I guess. It's bad enough pushing the stuff on unsuspecting schmucks trying to re-live their high school glory days, but preying on teenagers kinda crosses a line somewhere in the ethical desert no? I don't begrudge anyone the opportunity to make money, but c'mon man.

Excuse me while I go grab a shower - I feel dirty.

*( High Intensity Interval Typing)

Today's Numbers...

2010-04-14T04:46:00.001-07:00

Temp: 97.8
Glucose: 83

Meal #1

- 1/2 lb. grass fed beef
- 1 oz. provolone cheese
- 21.5 oz. mixed veggies
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 105

Meal #2

- 1/2 lb. grass fed beef
- 1 oz. provolone cheese
- 16 oz. mixed veggies
- 5 oz. pan fried potatoes
- 1 T coconut oil
- 1/2 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 84

Meal #3

- 3 oz. kielbasa
- ~ 7 oz. tomato
- handful of blueberries
- ~ 4 oz. strawberries
- ~ 5-6 oz. mixed veggies
- 1 unit novalin

1 Hour: 124

Meal #4

- 2.5 oz. kielbasa
- 18.5 oz. mixed veggies
- 1 T butter
- 8 unitsd lantus

Totals: 2700 kcals

Fat: 158g
Carb: 177g
Protein: 168g

Bang Head Here -------> X

2010-04-13T11:28:00.000-07:00

Two gems (note:sarcasm) from today's Wall Street Journal.....

First, A New Way to Lose Weight? discusses the latest red herring in obesity research - brown fat. While Regulators to Review New Drugs to Curb Appetite previews the possible FDA approval of 3 new "anti-obesity" drugs.

In regards to the former, researchers think they may have "one solution to curbing obesity". So what might this possibly amazing new discovery be?

Wait for it.... Wait for it.....

Essentially, turn down the thermostat. The belief is that by exposing people to colder temperatures that it will prompt our bodies to generate more heat by up-regulation of brown fat. Brown fat is a substance previously thought to only exist in humans as babies and then "shed" as we grew older. Brown fat is purported to use energy as opposed to traditional white fat's role of storing it.

Are you WOW'd yet? Yeah, me neither. Seriously, didn't we kinda go over this thing already in a way with that whole drink ice water thing a few years back?

Surprisingly, no they did not recommend just having fatter babies so that it takes longer to shed the magical brown fat - but give it time. Of course, we are already doing that yet the rates of obesity and diabetes are still going through the roof - maybe the researchers noticed this.

Bruce Spiegelman, professor of cell biology and medicine at Harvard's Dana-Farber Cancer Center is quoted as saying "We're not trying to replace diet and exercise, but frequently they're not enough or not effective."

Well duh! Not when the dietary guidelines handed down to us by the lovely folks at the USDA, American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, etc. are akin to - oh I don't know....HORSESHIT*! Sorry, never said this was a kid friendly show.

*(Actually, horse-poopie may be more healthy than current guidelines - especially if the horse is grass-fed! )

These are the the same people that still believe saturated fat causes heart disease. Or that canola/vegetable oils and margarine are "heart-healthy" - or healthy at all for that matter. They can also be seen extolling the virtues of low/no fat dairy products.

What's worse, the archaic dogma these organizations are repeatedly shoving down our throats heavily influences the cirriculums in our institutions of higher learning - producing a nation of RD's, MD's, and RN's full of that same......... horse-poopie when it comes to Nutritional Advice*.

*(N/A for short. Which is what you should write over the nutritional scripts given by many of these folks. As in Not Applicable in this case - the human case.)

Later on, the article finally gets to the gut of the matter - "However, whether we lose weight or not depends on whether we overcompensate by eating more food." And how or what does brown fat influence in any way, shape, or form in that regard? Well good luck with that then!

However, the true beneficiaries of such research were revealed much earlier, as the discovery of brown fat in adults "spawned hope among scientists and drug developers"! Scientists because the drug developers gave them money and something to do, and drug developers because of the boat loads of cash they may possibly bring in with their latest weight-loss panacea. $150M boat loads in US sales of ALLI just last year to be specific. You know, the one where you need to bring a change of clothes with you in case you experience a sudden case of EXPLOSIVE diarrhea!*

*(Or the Hershey Squirts as my family has always affectionately referred to them.)

You have to love the logic ( or is it arrogance?) to sell people on a cure for something you don't fully comprehend the cause of in the first place - which is probably in part because they waste so much time on studies on brown fat and the development of magical weight-loss pills in the first place. The fact that people will spend $150M for a chance to lose weight knowing full well they will probably need their diaper changed at some point in the process only further underscores the utter failure of our nutritional governing bodies - and possibly the "over-medicating" of the country in general.

I bought a weight-loss pill, and all I got was a crappy pair of Fruit of the Looms.

Now there is a way to bump up that $150M figure, can't ever have too many t-shirts!

But maybe I'm wrong, maybe they are on to something? After all, when you think about it - horse-poopie, explosive diarrhea, and brown fat are all the same colo.......ah nevermind.

More on Meal Frequency

2010-04-13T04:32:00.000-07:00

Does Eating More Frequent Meals Really Rev Up Your Metabolism? - Mercola.com

According to the study above, published in the British Journal of Nutrition at the end of last year, increasing meal frequency from three meals a day to three meals plus three additional snacks did not promote greater weight loss.

Both groups consumed an equal amount of calories (2931 kJ/day) and both groups ended up losing a little less than five percent of body weight after eight weeks.

Likewise, a previous study mentioned in the article above found no difference in energy balance between groups of people consuming either one meal or five meals in a two-week change-over trial.

So does that mean this is just another myth gone bust?

...a French study published in the journal Forum of Nutrition in 2003 found that people whose habitual diet pattern included a fourth meal – the so-called "goûter” or snack commonly eaten at 4 pm in France – had demonstrable benefits on Body Mass Index and metabolic profile, even though their total energy intake for the day is not greater than those who skip this meal.

The study states:

“The "goûter", commonly eaten in the afternoon in France by most children and many adults, has the biological characteristics of a meal because it is eaten in response to hunger. Suppressing the "goûter" in "habitual fourth meal eaters" soon leads to an increase in Body Mass Index (BMI).

Further, people who are regular "goûter" eaters have a higher carbohydrate intake and better metabolic profile than other adults, even though their total energy intake is not greater.

Increased feeding frequency leads to a reduction in the total secretion of insulin, an improvement in insulin resistance and a better blood glucose control, as well as an improvement in the blood lipid profile.

My thoughts are summed up nicely by this passage...

In the end, perhaps the most prudent recommendation is to simply let your hunger dictate when to eat. An important caveat here though is to remember that WHAT you eat is essential.

If your body gets the nutrients it needs, your hunger will be a reliable indicator for when you need to eat. However, many people today are in fact undernourished, despite being overweight.

Consuming junk food and fast food that does not feed your body the nutrients it needs will often lead to eating far more calories than you need simply because your insulin- and other hormonal balances are out of whack.

Eat REAL food. Eat when hungry. Seems pretty simple to me. Ties nicely right into the DUH! post from earlier this week.
In doing so, I have found I do go longer between meals, as well as have fewer meals per day - not to mention improved glucose control.

Today's Numbers...

2010-04-13T04:22:00.000-07:00

Temp: 98
Glucose: 91

Meal #1

- 5 sausage patties
- 24 oz. mixed veggies
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 124

Meal #2 (trained prior)

- 3 egg omelet
- 2 oz. mexican cheese
- 1.5 T coconut oil
- 16 oz. mixed veggies
- 1 T butter
- 6.5 oz. baked potato
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 86

Meal #3

- 5 oz. kielbasa
- ~ 16 oz. asparagus
- ~ 10 oz. tomato
- 1 unit novalin

75 minutes: 121

Meal #4

- 2.5 oz. kielbasa
- 15 oz. mixed veggies
- 1 T butter
- 10 units lantus

Totals: 3500 kcals

Fat: 248g
Carb: 192g
Protein: 132g

Today's Numbers...

2010-04-12T01:28:00.001-07:00

Temp: 97.6
Glucose: 82

Meal #1

- 5 sausage patties
- 15 oz. broccoli
- 1 T butter
- 3 oz. strawberries
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 112

Meal #2

- .48 lb. natural casing weiners
- ~ 42 oz. mixed veggies
- ~ 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 141

Meal #3 (trained prior)

- 3 egg omelet
- 2 oz. mexican cheese
- 1.5 T coconut oil
- 6.5 oz. red potatoes
- 17 asparagus spears
- 2 T olive oil
- 3 oz. strawberries
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 75

Meal #4

- 19 oz. mixed veggies
- 1 T butter
- 2 oz. kielbasa
- 10 units lantus

Totals: 3700 kcals

Fat: 268g
Carb: 205g
Protein: 154g

Today's Numbers...

2010-04-11T04:40:00.000-07:00

Temp: 97.8
Glucose: 101

Meal #1

- 5 sausage patties
- 25 oz. broccoli
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 120

Meal #2

- 10 oz. round steak
- 19 asparagus spears
- 1 ear corn on cob
- 5 oz. strawberries
- 1/2 T butter
- 1/2 T coconut oil
- 1 T olive oil
-2 units novalin

1 Hour: 130

Meal #3 (restaurant)

- seared salmon salad w/ oil & vinegar dressing
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 96

10 units lantus

Duh!

2010-04-10T17:34:00.000-07:00

Low-Cal Diets May Make You Gain Weight - MSN

..."For the first time in humans, we are finding out that cutting your calories increases cortisol," said lead researcher A. Janet Tomiyama, a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health & Society Scholar at the University of California, San Francisco.

..."The term 'dieting' brings to mind deprivation, starvation, being miserable and uncomfortable and ultimately failing in weight-loss efforts," said Samantha Heller, a dietitian, nutritionist and exercise physiologist who is familiar with the study.

...Burning more calories than you consume is how your body loses weight, she said. "However, severe calorie restriction, diet fads, pills and potions, detox cleanses and other quacky approaches to weight loss only contribute to people's diet failures and, in fact, may increase the likelihood of regaining even more weight than what was lost—if any," Heller added.

..."By eating foods of higher overall nutritional quality, fullness can generally be achieved on fewer calories, eliminating the need for deprivation," Katz said. "In addition, physical activity can accelerate weight loss, promote health and alleviate stress in the bargain."

That's because your body isn't interested in calories - it's interested in nutrients! It's not interested in carbs, fats, or proteins so much as what's contained in them - magnesium, potassium and all the other essential vitamins and minerals that exist. Less calories=less nutrients. Anyone surprised that would be a recipe for failure? Part of the reason processed food is so harmful is because the nutrients are stripped away - the other part being the franken-gredients that replace said nutrients.

How do you know if you are eating processed, nutrient-naked food? Well, if it has a food label on it - chances are you've been had. Think about it. I don't see any labels in the produce section. Hmmm, don't see any in the meat dept. either. Or the farmers market - or farm in my case. Kinda makes all the confusion and emphasis on understanding and policing food labels kinda silly eh? There are a few exceptions of course - store bought eggs come to mind - so another clue could be if your ingredient list is longer than say, 2 items - or contains any ingredients that would get you a triple word score in Scrabble.

While processed and refined carbohydrates have been getting their just villification as of late, care must be taken to not ignore processed fats and proteins as well. The increased consumption of vegetable/canola oils and nitrate laced meats role in our ever declining health cannot be understated.

On the other end of the spectrum are those that are somehow under the impression that nutrients operate in a vacuum. You know, all those nutjob RD's out there telling you to gulp up all that FAT-FREE dairy to get your vitamin D & K. Problem is, those are fat soluble vitamins. No fat=no absorption. Oops.

Speaking of fat-free dairy... Full-fat Dairy for Cardiovascular Health. Double Oops.

Today's Numbers...

2010-04-10T04:52:00.001-07:00

Temp: 97.7
Glucose: 83

Meal #1

- 1/2 lb. grass fed beef
- 1 oz. provolone cheese
- 25 oz. broccoli
- 1 T butter
- 4 oz. strawberries
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 129

Meal #2 (trained prior)

- 3 egg omelet
- 2 oz. mexican cheese
- 2 T coconut oil
- 19 asparagus spears
- 6.5 oz. red potatoes
- 2 T olive oil
- 2 units novalin

90 min: 95

Meal #3

- 1/2 lb. grass fed beef
- 1 oz. provolone cheese
- 16 asparagus spears
- 1 ear corn on cob
- 1 T butter
- 1 T olive oil
- 4 oz. strawberries
- 2.5 oz. kielbasa
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 160

Totals: 3200 kcals

Fat: 214g
Carb: 145g
Protein: 191g

15 units lantus

Today's Numbers...

2010-04-09T04:48:00.000-07:00

Temp: 97.6
Glucose: 67

Meal #1

- 5 sausage patties
- 24 oz. broccoli
- 1 T butter
- 4 oz. strawberries
- 1 oz. provolone cheese
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 112

Meal #2

- 6 turkey sausage links
- ~ 8 oz. red potatoes
- ~ 8 oz. asparagus
- ~ 12 oz. broccoli
- ~ 12 oz. zucchini
- ~ 8 oz. cauliflower
- ~ 8 oz. squash
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 195*

* I got hungry but still had to wait about an hour for the dining area to open up. Could be a similar phenomenon as in the mornings if I don't eat right away my BS spikes like 50 points even without eating anything. I also still am not sure what they use to saute vegetables/starches here at work.

Meal #3

- 5 sausage patties
- 16 oz. tomato
- 2 units novalin

Totals: 3200 kcals

Fat: 227g
Carb: 181g
Protein: 137g

15 units lantus

More on Leptin and extras....

2010-04-08T18:37:00.000-07:00

Scientists Unravel Brain-Hormone Circuit That Helps Police Diabetes, Female Fertility - ScienceDaily.com

Although diabetes and obesity often go hand in hand, Dr. Elmquist said the new findings indicate that a group of brain cells called pro-opiomelanocortin, or POMC, neurons help regulate glucose and insulin independent of food intake and body weight. POMC neurons, found in the hypothalamus, a small region of the brain, previously have been shown to play an important role in suppressing appetite and inducing weight loss.

..."There seems to be what I call a functional redundancy in these neurons as it relates to blood sugar regulation," said Dr. Elmquist. "We don't know if the same neurons respond to both leptin and insulin, but it is clear that functionally leptin can compensate for a lack of insulin and vice versa."

Novel Nanoparticle Vaccine Cures Type 1 Diabetes in Mice - ScienceDaily.com

Using a sophisticated nanotechnology-based "vaccine," researchers were able to successfully cure mice with type 1 diabetes and slow the onset of the disease in mice at risk for the disease. The study, co-funded by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, provides new and important insights into understanding how to stop the immune attack that causes type 1 diabetes, and could even have implications for other autoimmune diseases.

Recent Musings...

2010-04-08T15:30:00.000-07:00

Figured I would post a couple of rants I have submitted to local newspapers recently in response to articles they ran. The first was published, the other I'm awaiting word on.

First, submitted to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

In response to Dr. Quinlin’s letter from Sunday’s PG (“Obese people generally don't have a choice,” Nov. 23), as a health & fitness professional with 10+ years of experience; I must respectfully disagree.

The original article ("Fat and Fact," Nov. 22) finally brought to light the elephant in the room. While people may not choose to be fat, they do “alone decide how much they eat and how much they exercise (or how little).” It’s not necessarily laziness; it also stems from a lack of education on effective ways to do so. Folks may be surprised to know that the size and scope of their primary care physician’s education on the subjects of nutrition and exercise is extremely small. Even the American Diabetes Association, up until very recent years, was giving dietary recommendations that were actually compounding the problems and symptoms of those following it. These, combined with the large disconnect between medical professionals and health & fitness professionals; are largely contributing to our failure to sufficiently address the obesity and diabetes epidemics.

While I agree with the doctor that genetics play a large role, and that we know very little about the subject as a whole; there is science supporting specific dietary and physical protocols that have significant success. The idea that obesity cannot be controlled or managed any more than eye and skin color is simply not accurate. The responsibility of the individual cannot be understated.

While the obese population may “wish for a solution far more than any policy wonk”, do they know how to go about it and are they willing to make the necessary changes to do so? The multi-billion dollar sales of the supplement industry and FDA approved drugs such as ALLI, combined with the staggering rate of increase in obesity and diabetes in both adults and children suggests that the answer is no.

And most recently for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

RE: School districts expand healthy menu options - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

While the increased attention that the systematic poisoning of our children at the hands of our nation’s school lunch program has been receiving lately due to the efforts of Jamie Oliver and subsequent articles such as Thursday’s “School districts expand healthy menu options” excites me, the content and comments contained within suggest while meaning well and on the right path – we still have far to go.

I applaud the removal of the fryers - and more importantly the harmful canola/vegetable oil contained within them - in the Moon Area School District. But I decry the idea that by offering kids “baked chips, SunChips or pretzels” that it is somehow healthier. It’s not. It’s still processed junk. Why are we even offering snacks in the first place? A school is a place for learning; students need nutrients in order to do so - those snack choices offer no nutrients to speak of, rendering there availability illogical.

The allocation of more funds via legislation like the Health, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 is good on the surface, but to “enable the secretary of agriculture to establish national nutrition standards” is not necessarily helpful. Not if that person decides, such as the case in Huntington, WV, that french fries count as a vegetable. Or that canola oil is healthy (it’s not). Or that saturated fat is somehow unhealthy (it’s not).

Again, I do believe that Ms. Lazzaro, and many others, “have the kid’s best interests at heart”. I do. But it’s not enough. Our educators need educated. The idea that “fat-free pudding and reduced-fat cottage cheese” is “cutting edge” – or healthy for that matter – is laughable. One would have thought the fat-phobia phase went out in the ‘80s right with Olivia Newton John. Those products are anything but healthy once you look at all the chemicals and additives that are poured into them to make them palatable. Not to mention many of our most vital nutrients and vitamins are fat soluble; remove the fat and you absorb nothing. Nutrients don’t function in isolation.

There is nothing inherently wrong with carbs, fat, or protein. The devil is in the refinement and processing of each of them. The solution is simple on the surface – eat REAL, nutrient dense foods. For all of the fuss about food labels, if what you are buying has a food label – chances are you shouldn’t be eating it in the first place.

The deeper issue is captured beautifully by Michelle Tejchman of Moon Middle School – “I’m a junk-food person.” Judging by the alarming rate of increase in obesity and diabetes – in our children – she is far from alone. But WHY is she a junk-food person? We can throw money at this problem just as we have at education in general. But it won’t be enough. Until there is a fundamental shift in the home - and America as a whole, the nation’s health will continue to decline right along with its intellect.

Jamie has done something beautiful. Hopefully it’s the beginning of a new movement, one which I intend to be a part of. The question is….

“Who’s coming with me?” – Jerry McGuire

Today's Numbers...

2010-04-08T04:49:00.001-07:00

Temp: 97.7
Glucose: 101

Meal #1

- 1/2 lb. grass fed beef
- 1 oz. provolone cheese
- 24 oz. broccoli
- 4 oz. strawberries
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 114

Meal #2

- 3 egg omelet
- 2 oz. mexican cheese
- 2 T coconut oil
- 14 asparagus spears
- 6.5 oz. red potatoes
- 2 T olive oil
- 4 oz. strawberries
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour:

Meal #3

- ~ 6 oz. chicken breast
- ~ 2 oz. hamburger
- ~ 9 oz. broccoli
- ~ 8 oz. cauliflower
- ~ 8 oz. green beans
- ~ 3 oz. tomato
- ~ 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

* Forgot my testing strips so no readings for the past 2 meals.

Totals: 3000 kcals

Fat: 188g
Carb: 154g
Protein: 195g

15 units lantus

Articles of Interest...

2010-04-07T15:24:00.000-07:00

Some Cells in Pancreas Can Spontaneously Change Into Insulin-Producing Cells, Diabetes Researchers Show - ScienceDaily.com

What Insulin (and Leptin) Say to the Brain - ScienceDaily.com

Today's Numbers...

2010-04-07T04:54:00.001-07:00

Temp: 97.7
Glucose: 130

Meal #1

- 1/2 lb. grass fed beef
- 1 oz. provolone cheese
- 4 oz. strawberries
- 24 oz. broccoli
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 153

Meal #2 (trained prior)

- 3 egg omelet
- 2 oz. mexican cheese
- 2 T coconut oil
- 8.5 oz. red potatoes
- 19 asparagus spears
- 2 T olive oil
- 4 oz. strawberries
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 69

Meal #3

- 6 sausage links
- 3 oz. mozzarella cheese
- ~ 27 oz. broccoli
- ~ 5 oz. tomato
- ~ 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 126

Totals: 3000 kcals

Fat: 187g
Carb: 181g
Protein: 187g

15 units lantus

Today's Numbers...

2010-04-06T05:20:00.000-07:00

Temp: 97.8
Glucose: 176*

* day 4 of 0 units lantus

Meal #1

- 5 sausage patties
- 24 oz. broccoli
- 1 T butter
- 1.5 oz. mozzarella cheese
- 1.5 oz. strawberries
- 3 units novalin

1 Hour: 199

Meal #2

- 6 sausage links
- ~ 22.5 oz. cauliflower
- ~ 22.5 oz. broccoli
- ~ 8 oz. baked potato
- 4.5 pats of butter + another ~ 2 T butter on veggies
- 2 units novalin

90 min: 185

Totals: 2500 kcals

Fat: 168g
Carb: 166g
Protein: 114g

15 units lantus

Today's Numbers...

2010-04-05T01:50:00.000-07:00

Temp: 97.7
Glucose: 143*

* Day 3 of 0 units lantus

Meal #1

- 5 sausage patties
- 23 oz. broccoli
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 168

Meal #2 (trained prior)

- 3 egg omelet
- 2 oz. mexican cheese
- 1.5 oz. mozzarella cheese
- 2 T coconut oil
- 18 asparagus spears
- 8.5 oz. red potatoes
- 2 T olive oil
- 3 oz. strawberries
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 224 - 2 units novalin

Meal #3

- 1/2 lb. grass fed beef
- 1 oz. provolone cheese
- 3 oz. mozzarella cheese
- 16 asparagus spears
- 1 T olive oil
- 8 oz. tomato
- 4 oz. strawberries
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 114

Totals: 3600 kcals

Fat: 262g
Carb: 139g
Protein: 180g

Today's Numbers...

2010-04-04T06:25:00.000-07:00

Temp: 97.7
Glucose: 158*

* 0 units of lantus again

Meal #1

- ~13 slices prosciutto
- 18 oz. sauteed onions
- 14 oz. mixed veggies
- 3 T butter
- 1 T olive oil
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 222 - 2 units novalin

Meal #2 (hiked prior)

- 1/2 lb. grass fed beef
- 1 oz. provolone cheese
- 7.5 oz. strawberries
- 6 oz. red potatoes
- 16 asparagus spears
- 2 T olive oil
- 2.5 oz. mozzarella cheese
- 1 oz. pickles
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 163

Daily Totals: 2400 kcals

Fat: 157g
Carb: 127g
Protein: 144g

Today's Numbers...

2010-04-03T05:27:00.000-07:00

Temp: 97.9
Glucose: 150*

* 0 units of lantus last night

Meal #1

- 1/2 lb. grass fed beef
- 1 oz. provolone cheese
- 25.5 oz. mixed veggies
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 174

Meal #2

- 1/2 lb. grass fed beef
- 1 oz. provolone cheese
- 24 oz. mixed veggies
- 1 T butter
- 4 oz. strawberries
- 1/2 can coconut milk
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 138

Meal #3

- ~13 slices proscuitto
- 3 oz. mozzarella cheese
- 32 oz. mixed veggies
- 2 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 162

Totals: 3000 kcals

Fat: 185g
Carb: 175g
Protein: 229g

The Bench Press = Useless

2010-04-02T09:02:00.000-07:00

Whoa - What did he say?

Yep - that's right. I said it. The bench press is essentially.....useless.

Realizing I just uttered the gym equivalent of saying God doesn't exist in the middle of mass -

Wait...

What's that Mr. Carlin??? He really doesn't exist?

Anyways, what I'm trying to say is that if I am going to state something so - crazy, I owe you guys some sort of explanation. It wasn't easy for me to admit this to myself, but after a week of wrestling with it - there was no other answer. So here goes.....

1. I can teach someone to perform a push-up correctly in 2-3 minutes. To teach someone to bench correctly in order to prevent them from completely wrecking their shoulder(s) can take in upwards of 2-3 sessions - if not more. The cost-benefit analysis here is heavily skewed in one direction.

2. Speaking of wrecked shoulders - is there any bigger culprit than the bench press? From the guy at Bally's with the scarecrow technique, to the elite powerlifter - the list of guys who have injured their shoulders on the bench in some way is extensive. Hard to be fit or strong if you are constantly walking around with a "bum" shoulder. Again, Risk-Reward in skewed in one direction.

3. On the flip-side, the push-up facilitates shoulder health by 2 main pathways. First, because the scapulae are allowed to move freely instead of being locked in retraction against a bench, scapular MOBILITY is enhanced. Second, the increased serratus anterior muscle activiation in comparison to the bench helps to enhance scapular STABILITY. Enhanced scapular stability and mobility=no more achy shoulders.

4. Your core. Admittedly, I despise the term "core" - I need to come up with something better. Trunk perhaps? Anyways. Because you don't get to lay down on a bench, your rectus abdominus(abs) muscles are forced into action to STABILIZE your body into a rigid "planked" position. The result is increased function and strength of the abdominals in their true purpose - STABILIZATION - not FLEXION as has been incorrectly touted ad nasuem through the recommendation of other pointless(and possibly harmful) exercises like sit-ups, crunches, etc.

and most importantly.......

5. Speaking of laying down on your back, there is only one situation I consider that beneficial - and the bench press ain't it!

There it is, that's my case against the bench press. Unless you are a powerlifter - or an adolescent tying to impress you friends with how diesel you are - the bench press seems pretty useless.

Some related reading written by people much more intelligent than me....

For more on how push-ups relate to shoulder health and function, as well as some video of push-ups being performed correctly(take special note of shoulder and elbow posiitoning) with some nice progressions - check out Push-Ups, Face Pulls, and Shrugs by Bill Hartman and Mike Robertson.
For more push-up and other body-weight exercise progressions - check out Convict Conditioning by Paul Wade.
For more on why crunches and sit-ups and the like are not only useless, but potentially harmful - check out anything by Dr. Stuart McGill.
For more on effective ways to train the "core" - check out Anterior Core Training by Michael Boyle and Complete Core Training by Mike Robertson for starters.

And finally, if you are going to bench - it's ok I did, and I know you will too, even after reading this - at least do it correctly. Start by learning how here, here, and here.

Today's Numbers...

2010-04-02T05:49:00.000-07:00

Temp: 97.7
Glucose: 128

Meal #1

- 5 sausage patties
- 24 oz. broccoli
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 180

Meal #2 (trained prior)

- 3 egg omelet
- 2 oz. mexican cheese
- 1 T coconout oil
- 18 asparagus spears
- 7 oz. red potatoes
- 2 T olive oil
- 3.5 oz. strawberries
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 197

Meal #3

- 1 Pkg. Coleman Bacon
- 16 oz. sauteed onions
- 2 T butter
- 1 T coconut oil
- 8 oz. tomato
- 1/4 can coconut milk
- 2 oz. strawberries
- 3 oz. mozzarella cheese
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 158

Totals: 3600 kcals

Fat: 272g
Carb: 160g
Protein: 134g

Another Headline...

2010-04-01T16:21:00.001-07:00

Science Daily: Bacon or Bagels? Higher Fat at Breakfast May Be Healthier Than You Think

"The UAB research revealed that mice fed a meal higher in fat after waking had normal metabolic profiles. In contrast, mice that ate a more carbohydrate-rich diet in the morning and consumed a high-fat meal at the end of the day saw increased weight gain, adiposity, glucose intolerance and other markers of the metabolic syndrome.

"Studies have looked at the type and quantity of food intake, but nobody has undertaken the question of whether the timing of what you eat and when you eat it influences body weight, even though we know sleep and altered circadian rhythms influence body weight," said the study's lead author Molly Bray, Ph.D., professor of epidemiology in the UAB School of Public Health."

Today's Numbers...

2010-04-01T05:27:00.001-07:00

Temp: 97.7
Glucose: 103

Meal #1

- 1/2 lb. grass fed beef
- 1 oz. provolone cheese
- 24 oz. broccoli
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 140

Meal #2 (biked prior)

- 1/2 lb. grass fed beef
- 1 oz. provolone cheese
- 16 asparagus spears
- 2 T olive oil
- 8-9 oz. red potatoes
- 1/4 can coconut milk
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 153

Meal #3

- 1 pkg Coleman Bacon
- 16 oz. sauteed onions
- 2 T butter
- 1 T coconot oil
- 8 oz. tomato
- 3 oz. mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 can coconut milk
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 159

Totals: 3300 kcals

Fat: 226g
Carb: 142g
Protein: 181g

Today's Numbers...

2010-03-31T05:07:00.001-07:00

Temp: 97.6
Glucose: 130

Meal #1

- 1/2 lb. grass fed beef
- 1 oz. provolone cheese
- 24 oz. broccoli
- 8 oz. tomato
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 179

Meal #2 (trained prior/biked after)

- 3 egg omelet
- 2 oz. mexican cheese
- 2 T coconut oil
- 19 asparagus spears
- 1 T olive oil
- 7 oz. baked potato
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 97

Meal #3

- 6 turkey sausage links
- ~ 6oz. leftover garlic mashed potatoes
- ~ 18 oz. cauliflower
- ~ 16 oz. broccoli
- ~ 1.5 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 136

Totals: 2800 kcals

Fat: 170g
Carb: 185g
Protein: 157g

Today's Numbers...

2010-03-30T05:50:00.000-07:00

Temp: 97.8
Glucose: 213?

NOT sure about that reading, may be an anomaly - we'll see what I read after my first meal. I only had to get up once to use the bathroom despite sleeping longer than I have in a few days, so I was expecting a "normal" reading.

Meal #1

- 5 sausage patties
- 24 oz. broccoli
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 204 (guess it wasn't an anomaly!)

Meal #2

- ~ 10 oz. chicken breast
- ~ 18 oz. broccoli
- ~ 17 oz. cauliflower
- 1 oz. green beans
- 1 brussel sprout
- ~ 2 T butter
- 4 units novalin

1 Hour: 128

Totals: 2300 kcals

Fat: 141g
Carb: 113g
Protein: 153g

15 units lantus

Today's Numbers...

2010-03-29T03:07:00.001-07:00

Temp: 97.5
Glucose: 126

Meal #1

- 5 sausage patties
- 24 oz. broccoli
- 1 T butter
- 1/4 can cocout milk
- 2.5 oz. mozzarella cheese
- 4 oz. tomato
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 170

Meal #2

- 1/2 lb. grass fed beef
- 1 oz provolone cheese
- 8.5 oz. tomato
- 16 asparagus spears
- 1/5 T olive oil
- 8 oz./ sauteed onions
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 123

Meal #3 (Buca)

- salmon with garlic pesto sauce
- garlic mashed red potatoes
- caprese
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 170

15 units lantus

Today's Numbers...

2010-03-28T06:01:00.000-07:00

Temp: 97.7
Glucose: 100

Meal #1

- 5 sausage patties
- 30 oz. mixed veggies
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 105

Meal #2 (trained prior)

- 3 egg omelet
- 2 oz. mexican cheese
- 2 T coconut oil
- 20 asparagus spears
- 1.5 T olive oil
- 8 oz. baked potato
- 18 oz. sauteed onion
- 2 T butter
- 3 oz. mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 can coconut milk
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 177

Totals: 3000 kcals

Fat: 228g
Carb: 150g
Protein: 116g

15 units lantus

Today's Numbers...

2010-03-27T04:20:00.000-07:00

Temp: 97.5
Glucose: 121

Meal #1

- 5 sausage patties
- 24 oz. mixed veggies
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 121

Meal #2

- 6 turkey sausage links
- 6 slices proscuitto
- 16 oz. tomato
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 158

Meal #3 (not prepared by me so I don't know exact measurements)

- beef tenderloin
- brussel sprouts
- baked potato
- olive oil
- butter
- sauteed onions
- home-made apple sauce with cinnamon
- 2 units novalin

90 min: 147

15 units lantus

Today's Numbers...

2010-03-26T06:24:00.000-07:00

Temp: 97.6
Glucose: 163

Meal #1

- 5 sausage patties
- 24 oz. mixed veggies
- 2 oz. mozzarella cheese
- 1 T butter
- 3 units novalin

1 Hour: 153

Meal #2

- 3 egg omelet
- 2 oz. mexican cheese
- 16 asparagus spears
- 8 oz. red potatoes
- 2 T coconut oil
- 1 T olive oil
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 121

Meal #3

- 6 turkey sausage links
- ~ 7 oz. tomato
- ~ 9 oz. broccoli
- ~ 15 oz. green beans
- 2 brussel sprouts
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 193

Totals: 3000 kcals

Fat: 214g
Carb: 163g
Protein: 140g

15 units lantus

Recent Headlines...

2010-03-25T12:06:00.000-07:00

Some recent headlines I thought some of you might be interested in. Enjoy.

Leptin Therapy in Animal Models Shows Promise for Type 1 Diabetes - ScienceDaily.com

"UT Southwestern researchers, using mouse models, found that leptin administered instead of insulin showed better management of blood-sugar variability and lipogenesis, the conversion of simple sugars into fatty acids. Leptin is a hormone produced by fat cells and involved in the regulation of body weight."

"Benefits of letpin's glucose-lowering action appear to involve the suppression of glucagon. Normally, glucagon is released when the glucose level in the blood is low, thanks to supervision by insulin release from neighboring cells. In insulin deficiency situations, however, glucagon levels are inappropriately high and cause the liver to release excessive amounts of glucose into the bloodstream. This action is opposed by insulin, which tells the body's cells to remove sugar from the
bloodstream."

How Weight-Loss Surgery Reverses Type 2 Diabetes: New Study Offers Explanation - ScienceDaily.com

"It has been thought that reduction of blood sugar, which indicates a reversal of type 2 diabetes, in patients following bariatric surgery was due to post-surgery weight loss," Havel said. "This study, however, supports the observations from a number of earlier clinical studies reporting that diabetes is often improved prior to substantial weight loss. It also suggests that endocrine changes in hormones produced by the gastrointestinal tract may contribute to the early effects of bariatric surgery, in addition to the later effects of weight loss."

"In addition, results from the study also demonstrated that the ileal interposition surgery increases production of bile acids, which are involved in fat metabolism and can increase the production of GLP-1, the hormone that improves insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity," Havel said. "This could contribute to the delay in the onset of type 2 diabetes that we observed in the rats in this study."

New Form of Insulin Can Be Inhaled Rather Than Injected - ScienceDaily.com

Back in the Saddle Again...

2010-03-25T09:22:00.001-07:00

Temp: 97.7
Glucose: 146

Meal #1

- 5 sausage patties
- 24 oz. broccoli
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 201 (2 units novalin)

Meal #2

- 6 turkey sausage links
- ~ 8 oz. asparagus
- ~ 10 oz. tomato
- ~ 8 oz. broccoli
- 2 brussel sprouts
- ~ 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 122

Meal #3

- 6 oz. mozzarella cheese
- 4 slices proscuitto
- 21 oz. mixed veggies
- 1 T butter
- 2 units novalin

1 Hour: 142

Meal #4

- 1/4 can coconut milk
- 5 oz. tomato
- 2 oz. pickles

Totals: 2840 kcals

Fat: 199g
Carb: 144g
Protein: 152g

13 units lantus

Hiatus

2010-03-18T09:35:00.000-07:00

I will be out of town for a few days and therefore will probably not be posting much - if at all - until next week sometime.

You are getting verrrrrry sleeeepy.....

2010-03-16T08:09:00.001-07:00

In the past 24-36 hours I have seen a substantial increase in both fasting and post-prandial glucose readings. Only two things have changed in that time frame.

Not ingesting my usual ~3g/day of fish oil
Only getting ~ 5 hours of sleep the last 2 nights

The fish oil could have a role - although I would believe it to be very minor if anything - due to upsetting the omega-3 to omega-6 ratio. I tend to believe that was more at play a week back or so where I had a ~48 hour window of elevated readings after ingesting a serious amount of bacon the few days prior to those readings - but not so much now.

I think the larger culprit may be - hopefully - the lack of sleep I have gotten in the past 48 hours. Then today in my inbox I find this - How Much Do You Need to Sleep Every Night to Prevent Weight Gain? (Mercola.com). The article states:

In one study, researchers found people who received
only four hours of sleep a night for two nights experienced:
18 percent reduction in leptin
28 percent increase in ghrelin

Well, if such a short period of sleep deprivation can effect these two hormones to such a degree - and knowing how inter-connected the endocrine system is even in our current feable understanding of it - then it's not far fetched that it would also have a marked effect on other hormones such as insulin, glucogon, etc.

Some may see these changes in leptin and ghrelin as unhealthy or some defect at first glance - but maybe not?

If you put stock in the premise that food is medicine - maybe this is simply the bodies' acute response to compensate for the sleep deprivation in order to maintain homeostasis?

"You aren't getting enough rest and repair through sleep, so I am going to increase your appetite to ingest more nutrients to try and make up the difference!"

Just as it is a normal, healthy response by the body to release insulin after ingesting carbohydrates - maybe these leptin and ghrelin changes work in a similar fashion? Maybe it only becomes unhealthy or damaging when we never remove the underlying stimulus for their occurance...and the changes progress from being ACUTE - to CHRONIC?!

And then - Frequent Napping Linked to Increased Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in Older Adults - ScienceDaily.com. Again, maybe the napping is a natural response to compensate for a lack of sleep? Maybe the correlation with diabetes stems from a variety of factors - ones that would be common in a lifestyle with sleep deprivation?

Too often it seems we mistake and misunderstand the workings of the bodies' responses in terms of acute vs. chronic!

I will be concentrating on getting back to a full-nights sleep tonight and see what happens.