Home Again and Friday Blog Spotlight
I am going to start trying to do a weekly blog spotlight on Fridays. Because there are so many I read and enjoy, I am not going through them in any particular order. I am just picking one. So don’t get your feeling hurt if you don’t think I am spotlighting your blog soon enough. Your time will come. With that being said, here goes:
The first blog spotlight is Fab Fatties – I happened to run across this blog a few months ago. I think I had seen Shannon comment on someone else’s blog, but I can’t remember for sure. I love the approach they have taken. It is two gals, Shannon and Angie, who are doing this thing together. (Note to self, this would be a much easier way to blog! 
) The two gals seem to be real, which is one of the things I love to see on a blog. They also seem to have a good time with each other. If you have any doubts about that, check out their bloopers video from yesterday. While there is always good info to read on their blog, you get it mixed with a dose of sarcastic humor on occasion. For me that makes it interesting. Head over and check out Fab Fatties – tell them South Beach Steve sent you!
I don’t recall if I mentioned yesterday that my flight this morning was boarding at 4:40 AM or not, but it was. Needless to say, that made this early bird get up uncomfortably early this morning. I had intended on fasting until supper, but I was quite hungry when lunch time came around, so I had a 3-egg omelet and bacon. After I got home a mid-afternoon snack was two small pieces of a peacharine (I had never heard of this and had to try it). It was quite tasty. Supper ended up being a turkey polish sausage and a large salad. Mid-evening snack was an apple and natural PB.
Exercise ended up being a little more than expected today. I walked approximately 1.5 miles in the airports, which was about what I thought the total exercise for the day would be, but then I followed that with a 3.3 mile walk with my wife this evening. It was nice to walk somewhere besides on a treadmill.
One of the things that saddens me greatly is the physical condition of our youth today and the problems they are encountering as a result of it. For example, did you read about the 383 pound 13-year-old football player who died from hypertension? While it isn’t the same kind of story, what about the 22-year-old with high cholesterol (btw, I don’t agree with all the advice in this column). This is the kind of things that weren’t as common 20 years ago. It is hard to believe how much it has changed in this short of a period of time. Now before you get all defensive, I know there have always been overweight kids, but there are certainly more now, many, many more. That goes for adults too.
My goals for the week are as follows:
- I will not overeat this week. - Good so far.
- I will not eat cereal Monday-Saturday of this week. - Boy, I really wanted a bowl tonight, but I will not give in.
- I will not eat dried fruit this week. – Good so far.
- I will only eat nuts or nut butters in combination with fruit, at most twice a day. - Good so far.
- I will walk a total of 15 miles or more. - I think I am now at 15.3, but I need to verify that tomorrow.
- I will do two days of push ups. - Done plus one.
- I will do two days of planks. - Done.
- I will do two days of Tabata. - One more to go.
- I will do a partial day fast at least one day this week. – Done.
I’m so glad you made it home safely and got to enjoy such a lovely walk with your wife Steve.
The changing picture of health on our continent is frightening. It might be time to do something about the causes rather than treating the symptoms. It is about a much larger picture than portion control, daily activity, and losing pounds. Reading folks like Michael Pollan, Barbara Kingsolver, Sandor Ellix Katz, information from the Slow Food Movement, and more puts it all in a perspective which makes so much sense.
As a fitness professional and nutritional counselor, I am frankly tired of being employed by the ‘victims’ of a society gone so far awry of what is normal and healthy.
It is time for people to turn OFF their televisions, to stop reading ‘fitness’ magazines, to stop being swayed by the lure of the supermarket aisle. It is time to stop watching tv shows which set false health standards and body shapes, it is time to turn our backs on misery tv, where all is the fault of the weak individual, It is time to stand strong for food security, the health of the nation instead of the pockets of the power-mongers.
It is time.
Did I already say I’m glad you got home safely?
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South Beach Steve Reply:
September 25th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
Thanks Wendy. I am really glad to be home too. The trips don’t normally get to me, but this week was a tough one.
You are right on with your comments. I am sure you see this even more than most with your profession. The people are indeed the victims, but there also comes a point where they need to just step up to the plate and make a change. Of course, that is much, much easier said than done.
I agree, it is time. If something doesn’t change, the health effects are going to only get worse. Once we get to a certain point it will take generations to recover, at best.
Thanks again for the good wishes.
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It must be nice to be back home and be able to have a walk with your wife.
Tonight my BF invited me to go down to the gym to take a walk on the treadmill but I had to tell him I already went today! Ha!
We did do a relaxing meditation together though and it is just about movie and cocoa time.
Enjoy the weekend!
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South Beach Steve Reply:
September 26th, 2009 at 10:52 am
Kimberley, I don’t normally struggle so much on a trip, but this week was tough. It was very nice to get back home.
I hope you enjoy the weekend too!
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Glad you got a nice walk in with the wife!
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South Beach Steve Reply:
September 26th, 2009 at 10:52 am
Me too, thanks Ron.
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I’ve been listening to the Audiobook of Michael Pollan’s “In Defense of Food” (really affordable through iTunes). It’s a terrific discussion of exactly the problems you’re talking about with regard to the food chain and the so-called Western diet”. I recommend it!
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South Beach Steve Reply:
September 26th, 2009 at 10:52 am
I’ll have to check it out. Perhaps the library has it.
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Hi Steve! do you want an invite to my site now that I am private? If so, please e-mail me. How nice that you walked with your wife.
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South Beach Steve Reply:
September 26th, 2009 at 10:52 am
I do Lisa – I send you an email.
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Thanks for your comments on my blog lately. Sounds like you have been doing really good this week. Way to go on the walk with your wife, how nice too.
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South Beach Steve Reply:
September 26th, 2009 at 10:53 am
This week has been pretty good so far. Making it through the weekend is always the challenge though.
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So glad you made it home safely! You booked another early flight?? Must have been hard to get through the day. I’m glad you didn’t fast throughout the day–after traveling all that time, it was probably good that you got some food.
How nice it must have been to go on a real walk. And with your wife on top of that.!
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South Beach Steve Reply:
September 26th, 2009 at 10:55 am
Yeah, Beej, I tend to always book the early flights. They sound fine when I book them, but not so much so afterwards.
I am sure I will continue that trend.
The walk with my wife was nice. I always enjoy them.
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home safe and sound, with no “dreadmill” walking to suffer!
i agree we should all take a stand on diet truths, for the children. it is saddening though when you have “expert” fitness trainers/doctors ect who can’t even get their minds around the insulin/glucagon factor in fatloss/fatstorage.
it good to do our best though, isnt it?
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South Beach Steve Reply:
September 26th, 2009 at 10:55 am
You said it! It was nice to get a walk with scenery.
It is good to do our best. That is truly all we can do.
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I LOVE the Fabfatties. Shan and Angie are awesome!
Childhood and young adult obesity breaks my heart.
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South Beach Steve Reply:
September 26th, 2009 at 10:56 am
Agreed on all accounts Teresa!
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I’m also a Fab Fattie fan!
You are always such an inspiration – you have a full schedule with many challenges, yet you remain very consistent with your exercise. I learn a lot from you! Thanks, Steve!
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South Beach Steve Reply:
September 26th, 2009 at 10:57 am
Hanlie, I wish I felt I did good all the time. The travels actually make most of it easier for me, unlike what I hear others say about their travels. Thanks for the comment!
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You really travel a lot Steve, not my cup of tea
I agree about overweight at children but not only children, adults are heavier nowadays. Concerning children (whom I don’t have myself) I think that’s the responsibility of the parents. As for the adults: we’re (I am) responsible for ourselves/me.
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South Beach Steve Reply:
September 26th, 2009 at 10:58 am
Fran, it isn’t my cup of tea either, at least not all the time. I have too much to do at home to be traveling that much right now, but it is what the job demands.
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Steve, about the weight of youth. Comparing East to West I am developing a really unpopular opinion. Part of the problem is Political Correctness.
When I was young my mom would tell me “sticks and stones may break your bones but words will never hurt you” Now if your feeling are hurt it is always the other person fault. Regardless of intention.
I though about this in Japan. People are not malicious or, mean when they ask questions like ” how did you get so fat?” Can you find clothes?” I’ll get you a stonger chair”. Steve, It is simply harder to be fat in Japan.
That said – my japanese is poor and people tend to talk in a more direct manner as I can’t understand nuances and hints very well.
But, I notice people’s skin is getting thinner. It is just simply easier to be fat than it was before. It is tolerated.
Compare that to smoking….not tolerated. In fact viciously attacted. It is cool to attack a smoker but not a fat person. less smokers and more fat people.
Sorry about the arm chair philosphy. Have a nice day.
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South Beach Steve Reply:
September 27th, 2009 at 7:32 am
Mike, you are right. We are so afraid of hurting someone’s feelings that we will not tell them what they need to hear. That is really, really sad. There is a big difference in being honest and being cruel, yet most people don’t seem to know where this line is, so they choose to always err on the side of caution.
I always find your perspective on things interesting because of the differences in the cultures. If those three questions/statements were made in America, you would be condemned. It is interesting that you state people’s skin is getting thinner. Is this a sign of the times?
As always, thanks for sharing.
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Hello Steve!
I’ve been following your blog but I dont think I have ever made a reply. I am joining your Hot 100 Challenge.
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South Beach Steve Reply:
September 26th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
Missy, I am glad to have you along. I checked your site out, and your goals look great! Good luck to you!
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Hey Steve! thanks for sharing those links. And turkey polish sausage? Now I wanna try.
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South Beach Steve Reply:
September 26th, 2009 at 9:57 pm
Josie, believe it or not, it is quite tasty. It is not as low fat as it might seem, but far better than pork in that respect. Well worth a try.
BTW, the links for tonight might catch your interest more than those on yesterday’s post.
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Wow I have been so busy this is the first chance I have had to do my blog reading. Thanks STEVE! What an honor to be in the spotlight
Your a supa-sweetie for that one!
Every time I come here I am amazed at all you fit into a day. Your amazing.
Our youth are in a constant battle. Every where they turn it is a quick value meal. It has become the norm unfortunately and it is very scary to think of the long term effects it will all have on our youg people. To hear of a oyung man with high blood pressure tha tis just insane if you think about it! We as parents and leaders need to set good examples and teach our children healthy eating habits. (alot easier said than done I know)
XO
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South Beach Steve Reply:
September 27th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
Shannon, you guys deserve it – you run a great blog!
Sometimes I am amazed at the days too. I really wish I were better at managing my time, as I feel I could do more. Alas, that is not the way it is though.
Yeah, it is a lot easier said than done, but the kids look to us for the example, and we need to give them a positive one.
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