What I am Learning About Weight Loss

Well, my head is spinning right now with ideas. I've been doing some research tonight on Pilates and also reading a book called, "The Abs Diet: the Six Week Plan to Flatten Your Stomach and Keep You Lean for Life," by David Zinczenko. David is the Editor-in-Chief of Men's Health magazine. (Or at least he was when this book was written, in 2004.)

I've been learning, and re-learning a lot. (I did read this book, which has been sitting on my shelf, a year or two ago, but had forgotten some of it.) 

This book teaches me some new things, and also confirms some of the stuff I have been learning on the copious amount of websites I have been "digesting" lately about exercise, weight loss and diet. This what I do whenever I am interested in something ... mega-research. The problem is, though, is that I tend to not write it down or organize it all. I just consume it (burp) and hope to retain it all. 

This one of the reasons I am looking forward to the blog. It gives me a place to regurgitate some of these great idea-stuffs, and organize them on paper. If someone else eventually benefits, too, even better!

So, what, briefly, did I learn tonight? The book confirms that my plan is good: some kind of strength training (for me, Pilates) and some aerobics. Strength training causes a metabolism burn (burning calories) for the next 48 hours! That's good stuff! This confirms what I had been reading on several sites lately.

Also, to eat shakes, he says, is very good. This has been what I've been doing for the last year. (Although I got a bit slack this summer.) This confirms that I can stick to my shakes. I was beginning to wonder because I was eating shakes all year, but actually gained weight. But my eating for the other 23 hours of the day, and lack of exercise was causing the problems. 

The shakes were good...some of the best food. Mine are usually made up of 2 scoops of whey protein, milk, yogurt sometimes, hemp, and fruit if I have it. Yes, I said hemp. Apparently, this is a wunderkid food ... great for Omegas and a host of other things. So, those are good. Good!!!

What else? That milk, low fat, is good for you. (There have been countering opinions on that one.) But the calcium is very good for you because it is thought to break down body fats. Good! I am a huge milk fan. I am going to keep going through this book. Here's the link:

http://www.absdiet.com/uof/absdiet/withemail/

Also, I learned a bit more about Pilates online, from the following book called Pilates, by Rael Isacowitz. Here is the link:

http://www.amazon.ca/Pilates-Mr-Rael-Isacowitz/dp/0736056238/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1251789068&sr=8-2,

I learned that Pilates is considered a whole lifestyle, designed to make your whole life better, by teaching you balance, harmony, etc.  Wow! I'm not surprised ... I love it. It feels so wholesome, like my whole body is coming into alignment. 

I did Pilates tonight, after walking my route. It felt great. I was able to do more of the workout than last time. Ouch! The work on my abdomen is very intense and extremely difficult. But it felt great! After three days of no exercise, I did two hours tonight. Wow!

What a great way to end the day. Take care everyone.