NEAT Activities
According to studies, lean people fidget more than obese people. What does that matter? Well, these NEAT (Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis) activities can burn extra calories. So what can you do about it? Start doing something when you are doing nothing! 
Check out this article on lifehacker for more!
Unfortunately, exercise did not go as planned today. It is not that I wasn’t ready — I was. As I have written about on here before, I have some problems with my feet, among those is gout. However, that was not the issue today. It is something else that I have not identified yet. I really need to go to the doctor about it, but it never seems like the right time. Anyhow, what happens is I have a sharp pain in my foot right behind my smallest toe. It is comparable in pain to gout, which can make it very hard to walk on. I can walk though, I just have to walk more on the inside of my foot, but walking for exercise is tough. Fortunately, it usually only lasts only a day or so. It may be well enough tomorrow to exercise again, but I am not going to push it. That being said, I may take a short stroll with my wife tonight. I can handle this with very little pain since the walk is short, easy, and slow.
On the flip side, eating was great. I had one egg and one small turkey sausage for breakfast. I complimented this with a sliced green pepper and a couple of sliced roma tomatoes. Last, I ended with an apple with three tablespoons of Super Pecan Butter. While this may seem like a lot, remember, this was the end of my full day fast. Oh, wait a minute, I forgot that I also had a handful of pecans sometime during the night. Lunch was taco salad with no salsa or cheese, just veggies (including a really hot pepper) and sliced chicken breast. There was also a small amount of ground beef. Supper was a pork chop, some sauteed green beans and peppers, and a tomato. Since then I have also had three raw Cubanelle and Green Peppers. I also had a 1/4 cup of Smoked Chickpeas.
Have you tried getting some orthotics for your feet? That might help with the foot pain.
I love pecan butter, yum!
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South Beach Steve Reply:
July 28th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
Lori, I haven’t thought about that. I need to discuss it, among other things, with my doctor. Thanks for the suggestion.
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Sorry about the injury bug but glad to hear that it doesn’t seem to let you down. Keep up your attitude and I’m sure we’ll hear about more exercise soon! By the way, do you make your own pecan butter or are you able to buy it. Resources for natural, healthy foods are lacking up here in the frigid north.
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South Beach Steve Reply:
July 28th, 2009 at 8:45 pm
Ehren, the injury doesn’t have me down. I think it is because I know I am mentally ready for the exercise. The injury will pass, and the exercise will start.
Here is how I make my Super Pecan Butter. I am tweaking this recipe some. The last time I added half a cup more pecans and an 1/8 cup less olive oil. I think I can reduce the olive oil even more, but the 3.5 cups of pecans really stress my food processor.
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Okay, here’s my question. How do you eat a handful of pecans sometime in the night? Were you awake? Just teasing you! That sentence struck me as funny.
So sorry to hear about your foot. That is so frustrating to be ready to exercise, but your body just isn’t cooperating.
Take care.
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South Beach Steve Reply:
July 28th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
Thanks for the encouragement — the foot will be better soon.
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Hey Steve, I was just wondering because I noticed you still fast… are you eventually going to resume eating every day again, since you want to gradually ease into your weight goal? I was just curious to your thoughts on that.
Sorry about the foot bro… seems like everyone I know has some kind of injury these days. I hope you feel better tomorrow.
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South Beach Steve Reply:
July 29th, 2009 at 6:44 am
Eric, that is a good question. Right now I am only fasting after a day of overeating. I follow that with a big meal, so it kind of evens out, but there is supposed to be benefits to the fast. I will probably gradually work the fast out of the program, I am just not ready to yet. The one thing I keep thinking of is the other benefits to fasting. I need to read up on this more just to make sure I understand it better.
The foot is feeling better today. I think I will be fully back on track tomorrow.
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Hey Steve, Sorry to hear about your foot. It’s so frustrating when somehting goes wrong with my body. I’m glad that you’re taking it easy, since I find that when one little part of my body isn’t working right and I try to ignore it, I end up getting really sore since I’m using the wrong muscles. Of course, I still do that to my body–I’m the boss, not my dang body!
Thanks for posting so often, and letting us into your life.
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South Beach Steve Reply:
July 29th, 2009 at 6:46 am
Beej, the foot is irritating, but it is feeling better today. The foot is something I don’t mess around with. If you really hurt it, it is hard to function.
Regarding my posting frequency, I sometimes wonder if people get tired of reading about my stuff daily, so it is nice to see your comment.
Make it a great day!
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Great job with the eating! i hope your foot feels better soon!
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South Beach Steve Reply:
July 29th, 2009 at 6:46 am
Thank you Lisa. The foot is better already.
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Bummer about the toe, injuries can be such a pain, but good for you with the yummy foods, sounds delicious.
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South Beach Steve Reply:
July 29th, 2009 at 6:47 am
Berni, injuries suck, that is for sure, but we have to listen to them or we can really hurt ourselves. The food was delicious – I love this time of year.
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I always giggle that my husbands family is thinthin because of neat.
GOOD LORD THOSE PEOPLE FIDGET.
all the time.
and yes
more truth is said in NEAT-jest.
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South Beach Steve Reply:
July 29th, 2009 at 6:48 am
Honestly, fidgeters can really get annoying. I have a few in my family too, but I have found myself doing more of this. It is somewhat intentional, but now it is becoming a habit. For example, I bounce my legs while sitting at my desk at work. I figure every little bit helps.
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sorry about your foot pain. you cover a lot of miles in week. one thing i did before i started rebounding to avoid stress pressure on my limbs/feet, i made all those drills that use all different parts of my body off and on during the 15/20minutes or so. if you have some down time from walking because of your toe, just some semi-drills can sure get the blood flowing good and the heart and lungs engaged without so much stress on one body part. i know you are so dedicated to exercise, that getting grounded would not be a good thing right now!! youre on a roll buddy!
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South Beach Steve Reply:
July 29th, 2009 at 6:51 am
Rachel, I need to look into doing this. I feel like I am really tied down when I have foot pain, so I know I gotta come up with other options. Thanks for the idea.
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I do seem to fidget a bit myself. Then I call it being restless. I just can’t seem to keep still and always seem to have the need to do something. Plus I just can’t seem to relax. That was a pretty good link , as all of them that you post are. I sure hope you get to the doctors soon to get that foot checked out and that is mighty wise of you do not overdo it until you’re sure that it will be OK. We do seem to know our bodies real well and what will and will not work for us and what our bodies need.
It’s that healthy eating that will continue to help you lose the weigh when you can’t get out and exercise. You are doing real well man!
What I like about you and your posts is that you take the good with the bad and you don’t dwell on the negative like many people do. I By the way in which I have done in the past as well.
Your food looks good as always. Being busy I don’t get a chance to cook up all your recipes. Though they do sound delicious
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South Beach Steve Reply:
July 29th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
Rob, the worst problem with this foot issue is that it comes and goes quickly. My doctor and I have spoken about it in the past, but I never seem to make it in when it is hurting. Unfortunately, I am not going to get in this time either. Work is just too busy right now. That really isn’t a good excuse, but it is how it is. The good news is that the foot is getting better. Tomorrow I should be able to walk for exercise again (I think).
I appreciate your comment about the posts. I think it is all about being real. This is my place to open up and share what is on my mind, which as I have said before it makes me accountable.
You are also right about eating healthy. That is the thing that will keep you and I healthy for years to come. Thanks for the comment Rob, I appreciate your continued support.
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I am a new blog follower of yours- and excited to follow you on your journey!! Your commitment and hard work is encouraging and inspirational! keep it up
Sorry to hear about your foot- so the gout is better, but you are hurting in a different place? hmm… just be careful adjusting your stride- if you walk too much on the inside of your foot, you may be injuring other parts of your body. I’d be more than happy to answer your questions with your feet- at least until you get to a doctor!
best of luck
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South Beach Steve Reply:
July 29th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
Katie, thank you for your kind words. To answer your question, I haven’t had an episode of gout in quite some time, but this spot bothers me periodically. Maybe twice a year. It feels like it is in my foot, about an inch behind my smallest toe. It is a sharp pain, not like the gout, but similar in intensity. Fortunately, it only lasts a couple of days and then it is better. I don’t really notice swelling, but I have such big feet that it is hard to pick up on swelling. You are really making me think I need to get to the doctor while it is still hurting.
Thanks again for coming by – make it a great day!
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Katie Reply:
July 30th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
yeah, I would get it checked out… I know you want it to just go away (wouldn’t that be great?!) but its better to nip it in the bud, even if you have to rest a few days.
Best,
Katie
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South Beach Steve Reply:
July 30th, 2009 at 9:18 pm
Katie, I took your advice and gentle prodding and headed to the doctor today. See today’s post for more. Thanks for your comments.
WOW! I ‘m sorry to hear about your toe. Isn’t it crazy how the smaller parts of our body are the worst when it comes to pains and injuries. I hope that you can get this pain figured out! Hang in there
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South Beach Steve Reply:
July 29th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
She-fit, it is going to be better soon. It is funny how such a small body part can really put the brakes on for us, that is for sure.
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Hi Steve – sorry to hear about your foot and am glad to hear that it is feeling better. I second Rachel Allen’s suggestion for the rebounder trampoline. I bought a new one a few years ago for about $40 at Sports Authority. It is fun to jump on it in front of the tv after dinner. It is also nice to do when my body is hurting after a strenuous workout the previous day. It is also supposed to help with your lymphatic system. It might be a good way to exercise, while eliminating some stress on your feet.
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South Beach Steve Reply:
July 29th, 2009 at 8:11 pm
Kat, I need to think about doing that. I don’t have a rebounder, but I do have a full-sized trampoline. I think the benefits would be similar. It is something I have been considering for some time. I just need to act on it.
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Yeah, I’m becoming a fidgeter. Fidget, fidget. Wiggle, wiggle. Hopefully this pays off.
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South Beach Steve Reply:
July 29th, 2009 at 8:11 pm
Mary, you sound like me. What can I do to fidget now?
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