It's all about the habits

They say it takes 30 days to form a new habit.  That's about how long I've been challenging myself to make some serious life-style changes regarding the foods I eat.  This will be a September I will remember for the rest of my life.  Thanks to someone close to me who asked me to be his lab rat for a six week experiment, I'm now out of the danger zone in three areas of concern, my belly full of visceral fat, my high blood pressure and my lack of good cholesterol.  The ten new habits below are what helped me to lose 20 pounds in one month:

1. Step on the digital scale every morning when I wake up.  The readings are automatically sent to my health coach.
2. Post details about each meal including sizes and healthiness ratings on my cell phone app.
3. Take blood pressure readings 2x per day and log.
4. Avoid buying any foods packaged with a label.
5. Steam all veggies.
6. Sleep 8 hours per night.
7. Exercise 3x per week, one hour per session.
8. Talk to my health coach once a week.
9. Try one new healthy food item each week.
10. Never allow an unhealthy food item in the shopping cart.

The best way to break a bad habit is to form a new one and never look back.  I would like to thank all the people who helped me regain my health.  Your gift to me will be multiplied as other readers come on board and commit to new habits that will enhance their lives.  Have a great day.

My Loss (20 Pounds in One Month) is Your Gain

I fooled myself into thinking I knew how to eat right.    I ate Ancient Grains cereal for breakfast and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch, mostly on whole grain bread.  Many of my other food choices included foods labeled "organic" or "hormone free."  I really didn't know much about food until I entered a six week food experiment set up to with a goal to reduce my blood pressure naturally without medication.  I'm 20.6 pounds lighter since August 30.  My blood pressure is in the 105/70 range and my cholesterol numbers are in the safe zone for the first time in my life.  I'm sharing my weight loss story with you so you can gain important lessons about processed foods.  They may have fancy labels touting how healthy their foods are.  They aren't.  And that food pyramid they teach you about in school is a sham.  We're killing ourselves with the food we eat.

Do you want to improve your health?  If the answer is yes, try changing your shopping habits.  Put fruit and veggies in your cart and stay away from grains, meat and anything with a label.  Buy some walnuts, almonds and pecans.  Steam your veggies.  Cook your spinach in water.  That's it.  When your thirty days is up, go to your doctor and get a checkup.  Compare your new numbers to your old numbers.  Results don't lie.  Have a great life.  Don't forget to check in thirty days from today to share your results.  I'd love to hear from you.

The Accountability Factor

It doesn't matter where you are on the food chain.  There's always someone to report to.  Professional athletes have agents, managers and fans looking over their shoulders.  Children are being attended to by their parents.  Students answer to their teachers and professors.  I have a number of people I check in with concerning my quest to improve my health.  The good news is accountability increases the odds of a successful outcome.  Every morning when I step on my digital weight scale it sends a signal to my new health coach.  That's over 100 days of scrutiny.  On top of that, my progress shows up on a Facebook-type group page for all my team-mates to see.  There's no hiding.

Take a look at an area of your life you would like to change.  Ponder how you can make yourself more accountable by adding outside people like friends, family members, coaches or work associates.  It really helps when you join a community of like-minded people who are in pursuit of common goals.  Have a great day.

Overcoming Temptations

I knew yesterday was going to be my most difficult day ever since beginning my food challenge this month.  I'm one of those value guys who opts for the biggest popcorn size at the movies because it comes with free refills.  We went to the movies in the middle of a split shift at work yesterday afternoon and I was not looking forward to confronting my temptations at the concession counter.  I carried in a bottle of water, a bag of almonds, walnuts, pecans and some raisins to help me stay strong; it was enough to satisfy my urge to splurge.

The final temptation was even more difficult.  My boss called our team in for a rare night meeting and he went all out with some of my favorite foods currently on the do not eat list.  I focused my eyes on the salad section and kept everything else off my plate.  The good news is I no longer have anything to fear at the movies or any other place where temptation may appear in my life.  It's not about dwelling on the bucket of popcorn or the seafood slathered in butter.  It's about focusing on new habits like remembering to bring home-made trail mix with you when you're out socializing.  I'm going to finish this month twenty pounds or more lighter because I'm not letting temptation get the best of me.  It feels good.  Have a great day.

Your Ways Are Not My Ways

Every now and then I get a small glimpse of what God's ways are.  It's challenging to see in today's world filled with false hopes and empty promises.  I spent the first two quarters of my life trying to figure out God's ways.  When a tiny morsel comes in my direction, I devour it like honey from Heaven.  I got one at the beginning of this month and it's a game changer.  Think about your health for a moment.  Ponder your lifestyle.  Are your ways His ways?  How would you rate your physical fitness on a one to ten scale?  Are you a reflection of our Creator?  One month ago my answers were not so good.  I'm 19 pounds lighter today than I was almost one month ago because I gave up my ways and started eating foods my body was designed for rather than man-made garbage dressed up in fancy packages.  It's impossible to be a reflection of the Creator when we treat our bodies so poorly.

My goal for the final quarters of my life is to be a better reflection of my Creator.  I plan to keep seeking His ways.  Don't follow me.  You will get lost.  Follow Jesus.  He is the way and the truth and the light.  Jesus left a trail of bread crumbs for all of us and from now on his bread is the only bread on my food list.  Have a great day.

How I Lost 18 Pounds in the last 26 Days Without Starving

I lost more than an insatiable appetite for all the wrong foods when I entered a food experiment on September 2 – I lost nearly two 10 pounds sacks of potatoes, mostly around my waistline.  It's important to note I'm not starving.  It's so simple, anyone can do it.  Stop buying foods at the grocery store that have labels on them.  That's how you get rid of all the processed foods that are making you gain weight.  Concentrate on fruits and veggies for thirty days and get back to me.  Try cutting out grains and dairy products while you're at it.  Yes, it really is that simple.  In case you're interested in hard numbers, I'm keeping tedious records of daily blood pressure readings, weight measurement and body fat analysis to share at the end of my six week food experiment.  Mrs. Caveman decided to give my food program a try and she's also shedding pounds.  Her biggest surprise is her lack of appetite between meals.  Neither of us are starving and we both feel great.  Treat yourself to a new you in thirty days or less.  You can do this.  Have a great day.

Where My Hope Comes From

Some people in my age group may not feel like soaring on wings like eagles.  They may argue they can't run without growing weary.  They may not be able to walk without being faint.  Like many of my high school classmates, some already deceased, I too was headed for an early grave.  Isaiah's words about hope seemed more like some kind of a fairy tale rather than my new reality.  Yes, I have hope.  The Lord has renewed my strength.  My fifty-five year old legs feel young again.  My blood pressure is out of the danger zone.  My good cholesterol nearly doubled in two weeks and my lipid panel is in the desirable range.  I've lost 18 pounds this month and continue losing body fat with only minor changes to my activity level.  The Lord sent me an anonymous angel to heal my broken body.  This angel asked me to be a part of his experiment.  The test is only half-way complete but I'm already healed.  I talked with this angel yesterday and he asked, "what did you think the outcome would be when you decided to be a part of my experiment?"

"I believed there would be improvements and I trusted your ideas,"  I answered.  The bottom line is I never gave up hope and I'm thankful for all the people God puts in my life.  Some are here to help me soar like an eagle and others are here because their wings are broken.  I'm thankful for every moment I get to spend with you.   A little bit of hope goes a long way.  Have a great day.

Why Mrs. Caveman Likes the New Food Program

Knowing and speaking your spouse's love language is an important key to a healthy relationship.  It's all about acts of service in our household.  Nothing says I love you more than demonstrating my mastery of vacuuming, painting and all other household chores to Mrs. Caveman.  That's why she's 100% behind my six week food experiment.  I'm at the half-way point today and, thanks to my new energy levels, our cave is spotless and the to do list is under control.  No more days feeling fatigued or out of gas.  What's the difference?  I'm eating like a caveman, that hunter gatherer who passed on his genes to all of us.  The more I eat like a caveman, the more my energy levels soar which I use for acts of service.

I'm paying greater attention to the way I eat and it turns out many of our modern day foods are not a good fit for me or my waistline.  I've lost 17.4 pounds this month including 11 pounds of fat according to my digital scale.  That extra sack of potatoes around my waist slowed me down and sometimes got in the way tackling my household duties.  Not any more.  Mrs. Caveman is loading my fuel tank with plenty of fruits and veggies and my engine is running better than ever.  What's more important is what's missing, like grains and dairy products or any other foods that come with a label on them.  These are all foods our ancestors never knew and they caused my insides to become unhealthy.  Give your spouse a gift that keeps on giving.  Resolve to eat like a caveman.  I promise you,  Mrs. Caveman will be thrilled.  Have a great day.

Day 21 in the Food Experiment – I Lost 17 Pounds this Month

Please pardon me for writing so many stories about food this month but I keep waking up every morning to such astonishing results from my food experiment and I just can't keep my mouth shut.  I'm the first person to admit I know very little about how the human body works.  It's complicated.  When one part of the system breaks down, everything else falls apart.  That's what happened to me.  I thought I was eating a healthy diet but something was wrong.  My blood pressure readings were off the charts and I cringed every time I stepped on the scale.  That's when I was asked to become part of an experiment for six weeks.  The rules were simple:  no meat, no fish, no wheat, no dairy products and no processed foods.  Anything with a food label was off limits.  My blood pressure started dropping within the first 24 hours.  I'm 17 pounds lighter today than at the beginning of this month with only small changes in my activity levels.  This morning's blood pressure reading came in at 102/70.  Since friends and family members are asking questions about what I'm eating, here's a sample of my daily routine:

Breakfast:

My wife and I share a large smoothie loaded with a half cup of water, 2 bananas, 2 oranges, a clump of spinach, 4 small slices of celery, a few frozen pineapple slices, a cup of blueberries, 1/2 avocado, a tablespoon of flax seed, a tablespoon of Chia seeds, and a teaspoon of organic blue agave.  This makes three cups – one for Mrs. Caveman and two for me.  I like to have a small plate of nuts on the side – almonds, walnuts and pecans.  This fills me up until lunch and I no longer have a need to snack because I no longer crave food between meals.

Lunch:

Small salad with some raisins and nuts (almonds, pecans, walnuts) on top and dash of honey.

Dinner:

Steamed veggies and a side of spinach cooked on the stove top in water.  I normally have a glass or two of red wine but I stopped this week to give my body time to adjust to a prescription medicine I started taking to allow me to stop peeing every two hours in the middle of the night.

Another point worth noting is the impact on my cholesterol.  My total cholesterol reached an all-time high of 230 in June of 2013.  I made some adjustments on my own before the experiment began and got it down to 172 in February of this year but the ratio of 6.4 was in the danger zone.  There was an immediate change once I gave up all processed foods, dairy products and other foods listed above.  My HDL (good cholesterol) nearly doubled from 27 to 49, my total cholesterol dropped from 172 to 139, and my new ratio is now at 2.84, well withing the desired range of 4.5 or less.  I will be getting another blood test in six months to document how these food changes are working for me.

Sorry, I can't tell you why this experiment is working so well.  My guess is that my body can't tolerate certain foods.  I'll leave the interpretations up to the smart people who understand the complex systems inside our bodies.  As for me, I'm keeping things simple, taking daily notes about the experiment and staying away from foods with a label.  When the experiment is over at the six week mark, I'm planning to re-introduce some foods on a small scale while keeping an eye on my blood pressure numbers.  The trial and error process will help me identify which foods are causing challenges to my internal organs.  If you're planning on making changes to your food program, consult your physician first and do your best to document your journey so you can help others who are seeking a healthier life.  Have a great day.

A Health Topic You Can Sleep On

Are you sleeping like a baby?  If not, why not?  I visited my doctor last week for a physical and he asked me if I had any concerns.  "I'm getting up about every two hours in the middle of the night to pee," I reported.  He gave me the option to try a prescription that relaxes the muscles in the prostrate and the bladder.  Last night I managed to sleep for five hours before waking up to pee and it was the only interruption of the night.  I woke up refreshed and ready to conquer the day.  My goal is to sleep a full eight hours per night without any wake-up calls from Mr. Bladder.

I used to think it was okay to skip out on sleep in order to crank out a term paper or burn the midnight oil to study for an exam.  The older I get, the more I realize my body is slower to recover when I cheat on my sleep.  How about you?  What is your optimum level of sleep?  Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.  I appreciate you giving me something to sleep on.  Have a great day.

Why I'm Nuts About My New Food Program

The lab results are in.  I'm shocked.  If I didn't no any better I'd tell you someone spiked the water cooler with liquids from the fountain of youth.  Before the transformation my body was what real estate agents call a real fixer upper.  You know what I'm taking about – a sick piece of crap that looks okay on the outside but is loaded with termites and other hidden ailments on the inside.  It appears I may have been suffering from a food intolerance that caused my blood pressure to sky rocket, my good cholesterol to plummet and my bad cholesterol to rent space in my inflamed arteries.  Left unchecked, I would have ended up with a heart attack or stroke.  The only thing in my favor is my wife's love for a fixer upper.  And, thanks to the good doctor who pointed me in the right direction I didn't happen to see because they're hidden by our modern "healthy" culture, this dilapidated old body is getting a mulligan and now structurally sound.  Here are the numbers:

2/2015 Health Assessment

Weight                     178  (weight ballooned to 185 during my novel writing experience)
Blood Pressure        160/100  (stage II hypertension)
Total Cholesterol     172 
Good Cholesterol      27   (high risk)
TC/HDL ratio          6.4   (high risk)


 9/2015 Health Assessment

Weight                     170
Blood Pressure        102/71
Total Cholesterol     139
Good Cholesterol      49
TC/HDL  ratio         2.84  (Desirable ratio less than 4.5)

It's important to note these numbers didn't change until the beginning of this month when I became a guinea pig for a food experiment.  I started the month of September 16 pounds heavier than I am today.  I'm sleeping better, my plumbing is working better and the numbers above confirm how I feel on the inside.  There are still more renovations to go and the food experiment will be extended for the rest of my life.  I seem to enjoy being a pig.  And if you want to learn more about what I'm doing, all I can say is "you're nuts."  Translation:  you are what you eat.  Almonds anyone?  Have a great day.

25 Days to Go in the Pig Experiment - Here's an Update

I offered up my overweight, out of shape body up as a guinea pig experiment at the beginning of this month.  The guidelines were simple – no meat, fish, poultry, grains, dairy products or anything with a label for six weeks.  My blood pressure was in the danger zone and my insurance company welcomed me with open arms when I checked my eligibility for "Prevent," an online program for people like me who want to improve their health.  I told my new coach about the pig experiment and she liked the idea, assuring me it would be a good fit for my new program.  My doctor also supported my challenge and ordered up a complete set of blood tests to help me record the results.

I'll be sharing more results at the end of the six week experiment.   Today's story is directed at family and friends following this blog who may be interested in a health make-over.  I'm 16 pounds lighter, my double chin and fat belly are MIA and I'm feeling better than ever.  And my blood pressure is out of the danger zone without any medication.  Today's reading is 111/77.  The biggest tip I can offer you is to avoid eating processed foods.  Have a great day. 

Why I Put Grains on My Do Not Eat List

It's really hard to find the right food program when you're bombarded with so many mixed messages, especially when "trusted" authorities issue guidelines inconsistent with actual diets from some of the fittest athletes in the world from our ancient past.  I'm referring to our ancestors.  They walked an average of eight to twelve miles a day, never sat around in front of the TV and maintained a healthy weight without even trying.  I'm surprised to learn they avoided grains.  And I'm even more surprised what's happening to my body now that I'm grain free.  Although it's only been about a couple of weeks, I've already lost fifteen pounds.  My blood pressure has also dropped to the normal range.  For those who are following my guinea pig experiment, my numbers came in at 107/69 at sunrise this morning.

Besides the good doctor who is running the show, it's Mrs. caveman who appreciates the "no grain" way of life best because I'm using my newfound energy to clean our cave from top to bottom.  It's like taking a shot of pure energy.  For those who might want to challenge me about my new food program, I have a challenge for you... try eliminating all grains from your food program for thirty days and get back to me.  By the way, throw out all processed foods while you're at it.  Meanwhile, check in every morning and I'll share more about what I'm doing to improve my health.  Have a great day.

An Easy Way to Find Your Body Mass Index (BMI) Today

Want an easy way to calculate your body mass index (BMI)?  Click here to visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fill in your height and weight and you're done.  Or not.  If the numbers are in the unhealthy range, it's time to get busy.  The good news is you can lower your scores by making small changes to your food program.  The red alert on my scale finally went away yesterday when got my BMI into the safe zone.  I stopped eating all processed foods, concentrated on fruits and veggies and gave up dairy products.  The first step to good health is recognizing and admitting you have a problem.  Keep a record of your BMI readings and measure your progress.  Have a great day.

How I Lost 15 Pounds in the Last 18 Days

It started with a decision.  I needed to take immediate action to get my high blood pressure under control and the good doctor warned me about certain foods that were likely contributors to my condition.  The fifteen pound weight loss was a surprising side effect.  Not only did my blood pressure return to normal almost overnight, my belly is shrinking almost a pound a day.

I'm on my way to visit my doctor for an overdue annual exam and I can't wait to see my lipid panel, metabolic panel, psa and cbc.  These will offer objective proof I'm on the right track.  For those of you who are seeking a better version of yourself when you look in the mirror, the food program is quite simple... don't eat anything with a label on it, concentrate on greens like spinach, kale, broccoli and lettuce, and stay away from anything that walks or swims.  Bananas are okay after they're ripe and so are most other fruits.  This is part of a six week experiment I'm doing to see if healthier food choices can keep my blood pressure at normal levels without the need for medication.  And I'm happy to deal with the side effects which include sleeping better and shedding pounds.  Have a great day.

Is it too late to improve your health in the 3rd or 4th quarter of your life?

I never got to meet one of my childhood heroes, Jack Lalanne, before he passed away at age 96, but I did get to communicate with him late in the 4th quarter of his life.  He mailed me an autographed 8x10 of himself looking fit as ever.  His secretary's email to me after she received my note of condolences was something like this:  exercise one hour a day.  That's the best way to honor Jack.  I'm getting there but I have a long way to go.  At age 55, it's really easy to make excuses.  I'm not going there.   Instead, I'm going to follow Jack's ideas about living healthy.

If you believe it's too late to make improvements to your health, you're right.  I can't change your mind.  This is where healthy living starts.  If you refuse to change your habits then you're done.  But if you believe there's hope, no matter how hopeless your current situation may be, I agree with you.  It's really never too late when you decide to change your life.  If you need a helping hand, please follow this blog.  We can work on this together.  Don't worry about the time clock and focus on healthy choices, one minute at a time.  That's what Jack did for 96 years and he's still inspiring me from the grave.  Have a great day.

Why I Gave Up Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches Forever

It all seemed so innocent.  My love affair with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches began in grade school and continued through my adult life.  It's all over now.  No more whole grain bread, no more peanut butter and no more jelly.  They're out of my house for good.  Why?  It turns out my body is allergic to all three.  The seductive organic label on the jelly was a marketing ploy to sucker me in and it turns out peanut butter isn't even a nut – it's a legume.  This is so scandalous.  I was loyal but my number one food companions were conspiring with my inner self to take me down and the plan would have sent me to an early grave if my family hadn't intervened armed with a blood pressure monitor during my vacation.  One more point higher and mama was going to drive me to urgent care.  It was that serious.

I'm in recovery now.  My blood pressure reading this morning is down to 114/77 – that's 35% below my danger zone without any medication.  The plot thickens.  I'm learning there were other co-conspirators who contributed to my demise.  Stay tuned.  I'll share more in future stories about the changes I'm making to rejuvenate.  Have a great day.

Your Life on a Three Legged Stool

Imagine you're standing on top of the three legged stool in the picture.  It's really easy to maintain your balance when all three legs are solid.  You're on shaky ground when one or more of the legs becomes weak or wobbly.  Your legs are your support system and you need all three.  Think about what each leg of your stool represents in your life.  I consider my three legs as my financial side, my health side and my spiritual side.  Until recently I was looking quite gimpy because my foundation was way out of balance.  My faith was tested during my time living in the cave.  If you want to know more about this, check out my blog archives.  My financial leg was fractured in multiple places from a fall I suffered nearly seven years ago and I needed serious rehab to recover.  But the third leg needed even more attention.  Most people don't realize a silent killer lurks inside our bodies.  I'm not going to bore you with the details, but I learned recently I was headed to an early grave.

I'm taking immediate action to make sure all three legs are secure.  Kudos to my health insurance company for sponsoring Prevent, a sixteen-week program to help me and the others in the group I joined this morning get healthy.  I won't be sharing anything about the group due to privacy concerns but I will be passing along all the knowledge I gain from this program.

Check your stool today.  Make sure all three legs are secure.  Have a great day.

Isn't it Ironic?

Our latest library find is "the Paleo Solution" by Robb Wolf with the caption at the top that reads, "Transform your life in 30 days!  Lose Weight, Get Fit, Reverse Disease."  Although I'm only one third of the way complete, I'm discovering how ironic my approach to healthy living has been these last fifty-five years.  For starters, I'm surrounded by millions of acres of corn fields and Robb Wolf is telling me I can't eat any of it .  Whoa!  As John McEnroe would say emphatically, "You cannot be serious!"  He is.  And that's just the beginning.

I'm visiting my doctor on Wednesday to monitor my lipid profile and check my overall health.  The truth is I'd be the first person to challenge this guy's thoughts about corn and other foods listed in his do not eat category.  I always considered them safe bets for better health.  But there's one problem – I started eating like a caveman ten days ago and I'm already ten pounds lighter.  Rob Wolf is right.  My blood pressure dropped over 25% almost overnight.  Isn't it ironic?  I imagine Chevy Chase wearing a blindfold while he putts during that golf course scene in Caddyshack and he's schooling me... "Maybe you need to take a mulligan on your approach to your food program.  Be the caveman. Baadaadaadaa."  Stay tuned.  I'll share more about my new life eating like a caveman in future posts.  Have a great day.

The Enemy Within

Today is a day of remembrance.  On this day, fourteen years ago, an unknown enemy used our own assets against us and forever changed the way we look at the world.  But there's a far more dangerous attacker – the enemy within.  It's so easy to point fingers everywhere else except at ourselves.  I'm guilty of this.  The damage we do to our own bodies far outweighs all acts of terrorism we're observing in modern times.  We're killing ourselves and we don't even realize it.

I'm taking immediate action to make sure the man in the mirror no longer has anyone to blame for an over-size belly, high blood pressure or high cholesterol.  It's my responsibility.  I'm refusing to let my own body turn against me and kill me.  It's too late to turn back the clock and change the outcome of 9/11/01 but it's not too late to confront the enemy within and change our food habits.  Stay tuned.  If you need help fighting the enemy within, I'll share more about what I'm learning.  Have a great day.

Why I'm Eating Like a Caveman

My blood pressure reading this morning at sunrise was 115/79.  I'm ten pounds lighter since returning home from my vacation at the end of last month and I'm sleeping better than ever.  My wife told me I no longer snore.  I attribute all these health improvements to my new food program, introduced to me as a six-week guinea pig experiment I signed up for at the beginning of the month.  It turns out eating like a caveman makes you feel like Tarzan.  And this is only the beginning.  I'm joining my Prevent team on Sunday, 9/13.  It's a group of individuals who work together to change habits and develop a healthy lifestyle, compliments of my health insurance company.  Our coach will help each individual customize a program that suits his or her needs and daily results are sent automatically from our new digital scales.

If you hear a crazy caveman yelling at the top of his lungs, don't worry.  I'm just calling Jane.  Supper's ready.  No processed foods or anything with a label.  Have a great day.

Oh Doctor, I Lost My Love Handles

An anonymous member of my extended family is celebrating his 55th birthday day.  Knowing his food regimen, I doubt the good doc is eating birthday cake today or any day.  I write about the caveman but he's teaching me to eat like one.  Since following his suggestions at the beginning of this month, I'm now half a pound away from dropping a ten pound sack of potatoes, mostly in the midsection.  I looked  in the mirror this morning and noticed something was missing – my love handles.  Oh doctor!

I imagine if my cousin were to make a birthday wish today it would be for people to pay more attention to their health.  Today's blog is dedicated to JRM.  Thanks cuz.  You're the caveman behind the caveman.  I owe my good health to you and I promise to do my best to share my progress with others so your gift to me will be multiplied.  I'm happy to live without the love handles.  Happy birthday.

Make This Month a September to Remember

School's back in session.  The leaves are getting ready to change color.  And this is your opportunity to make this month a September to remember.  Why?  Because today is the first day of the rest of your life.  It's your opportunity to make a change in your life that will pay dividends for as long as you live.

At 12:00 noon on the second day of September I made a promise to give up eating foods that came packaged with a label.  I gave away all the food in my fridge that wasn't part of my new way of life.  And the extra-ordinary changes began to show up on the weight scale and my blood pressure readings.  This will be a September I will remember and treasure forever.  It doesn't matter how old you are or how far you've slipped from your goals.  You have the power to change your life today.  Have a great day. 

The Way We Were

There were many things our caveman brothers knew nothing about – like heart disease, high blood pressure or high cholesterol.  That's because they ate the right foods for their bodies.  Our bodies haven't changed over the centuries but our diets have.  They're unsafe, especially for those living in the United States.  Obesity is a problem.  It's killing us.  Last week I committed to eat like a caveman for six weeks in order to address unsafe blood pressure issues.  This morning's reading is 107/77.  I'm shedding one pound a day by going paleo.  The caveman never read food labels and I'm following their example.  It turns out our ancestors got food right.

I'll be reporting more on this caveman experiment in the coming weeks.  It's life-changing.  Have a Happy Labor Day and take a few moments to ponder the way we were.  It's worth contemplating.

Are You Ready to Pour Your Heart Into It?

I'm a writer.  There's no doubt about it.  I'm pouring my heart into every word, every sentence and every paragraph.  My craft challenges me to sharpen my skills and grow.  There's nothing more exciting for me than to connect with readers.  A retired writing teacher from the Vermont area read my book recently and sent me a four page handwritten letter with her thoughts and suggestions.  What a blessing Joan is in my life.  I'm going to incorporate her edits in future editions of my novel.

I'm so thankful for those who are willing to sacrifice time to help me edit my life professionally, physically and spiritually.  Editors are the unsung heroes.  Whatever your calling may be, pour your heart into it and trust the editors to help you maximize your talent.  Have a great day.  Thank you, Joan, for your feedback.

Life Without Credit Card Debt

It's been nearly thirty days since we paid off our last credit card.  The feeling is like being trapped in a smoke-filled room all your life until one day you discover the exit door and walk out into the sunshine.  Ahhhh.  That fresh air feels so good.  It's a whole new world.  Then, you turn around and notice all the trapped people who don't know what credit card freedom feels like.  They're stuck in a prison cell.  Most falsely believe car payments and credit cards are a way of life. 

My wife and I are re-arranging our family budget this month.  Instead of giving our hard-earned dollars to the banks, we're joining a health club.  This is our reward for paying off our credit cards.  It feels great to be back in the sunshine.  I highly recommend it.  If you're inhaling smoke, there's a way out.  Decide today you want a life without credit card debt.  Think about how your life will be when you have extra funds in your checking account.  Have a great day.

The Truth About Modifiable Risk Factors

Modifiable risk factors have a place in the serenity prayer above.  They fit well in the courage category because modifiable risk factors are things you can change.  Non-modifiable risk factors cannot be changed.  I'm learning the difference between the two and what I need to do to get myself out of the high risk category when it comes to health.  I have a choice to modify or die.  I choose modify.  Mikey likes it.  So does the Mrs.

If you're interested in learning more about your modifiable risk factors, the first step is to take a health assessment and find out what's modifiable and what's not.  Your doctor can help you with this.  You're ready for the next step when you get your list of modifiable risk factors.  This is where courage comes in.  Do what you need to do to eliminate all the modifiable risk factors on your list.  These factors are your to do list.  Get busy.  They're your road map to great health.  Have a great day.

Going Against the Grain to Eliminate Health Risks

I'm trying a new approach in my quest to eliminate health risks.  These next three months are going to be interesting because some of my favorite foods, like the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, are now off limits.  Fruits and veggies aren't forbidden but anything with a label on it is.  If it walks on legs or swims, it's no longer part of my food program.  Nuts are in, processed foods are out.  I'm doing this because I'm pursuing a healthier life style.  Locking myself in a cave to write books comes with consequences.  I gained weight.  My blood pressure increased.  And that happened during Spring and Summer.  The Fall season is my time to go against the grain and make some serious changes.

If you're leading a sedentary life or your waistline is expanding outside your comfort zone, walk with me for the remainder of this year.  I'm volunteering to be the guinea pig with this new food program.  I would like to thank the good doctor who is studying me during the adventure and my future coach who will be helping me to eliminate health risks.  Have a great day.

Why I'm Embracing a Lifestyle-changing 16-Week Experience

Prevent, a 16-week experience sponsored by my health insurance company, is a safe bet to help me navigate the final two quarters of my life.  I'm eligible for the program due to health risks that need to be addressed.  When I was filling out the screening form to gain admittance, one of the questions asked was, on a one to ten scale, how committed are you to improving your health?  I answered with a ten.  I'm in.  They're mailing me a free digital Wi-fi scale that sends daily results to my coach.  Other local members will be participating and we'll help one another reach our goals.  The program launches within the next two weeks as soon as there are enough people in my area to form a new group.

I've made many blunders in my life.  The good news is it's never too late to get on the road to recovery and I'm embracing this new lifestyle-changing 16-week experience.  I challenge you raise your health awareness.  Don't wait until it's too late.  Have a great day.

Your Competition is in the Mirror

You have the power within you to become a better version of yourself.  It's a choice when you wake up every morning.  Can you be better today than you were yesterday?  If you're like me and you sometimes forget to pay attention to other areas of your life while you're concentrating on a major project, take a look in the mirror and see if you can identify areas of concern.  Are there circles under your eyes?  Is your face looking puffy from eating the wrong foods?  Do you appear stressed?  The image you see in the mirror is your competition.  Are you ready?  Make this month a September to remember.  Let me know how the challenge goes.  Have a great day.