Quick Notes

Quick Notes

I’m still rather busy, but I wanted to update the blog with a few random notes:

• I’m 1 pound away from reaching 50lb. weight loss (from April, 2010-present).  I’m excited to hit this milestone.  I feel SO much better because of the changes I’ve made in my diet and lifestyle.
• Those “healthy whole grains” just might not be as healthy as everyone things.  Check out this PaleoSolution Podcast episode, featuring Dr. William Davis (who also has a prominent blog) about wheat.  He just wrote an intriguing book called Wheat Belly.  I just bought it, so I hope to read it and post a review of the book soon.
• I’m thinking about seeing a Naturopath, in addition to my regular doctor.  I’ll let you know more about that soon, as well.
• I’m still doing IF, though I’m basically doing my own version.  I rarely to 24 hour fasts. Mostly, I’m skipping breakfast 3 or so times per week, and eating my first meal of the day at 1pm.  That adds up to about 18 hours.
• Over the summer, I started doing body-weight resistance exercises (assisted pull-ups, push-ups, squats, planks) and I’ve started noticing some definition in my arms, and increased endurance for physical tasks.  
•  I had a dentist appointment today.  I had way less plaque/tartar than in previous years, and my teeth (aside from a couple of mercury fillings that are coming out within the year, hopefully), are in great shape.  I attribute this to the drastic cuts I've made in sugar and grain consumption.
• Also, I’m hoping to do a nice, long post that tracks the progress I’ve made thus far in my journey to wellness.  Stay tuned.

And Life Gets in the Way ...

Hey all,

Life has been a bit crazy for the latter part of this summer (mostly work, but life with a toddler never slows down), so I apologize for not having posted in a while, and for leaving my experimentation at a halt. 

As a result of the limited experimentation I have done regarding Intermittent Fasting, I have found that (1) It works for me and produces moderate fat loss, (2) it does not lead to any undesirable effects of my blood sugar levels, (3) I feel great most of the time when fasted, and (4) I find that either 16 or 24 hour fasts work the best for my schedule and my body.  I will continue to fast, but just don't have the time right now to devote to any scientific (even n=1, which barely passes for science) "research."  I'll leave that up to the experts.

As I write this, I have blasted through one of my weight loss goals:  I am now below 150 pounds.  It's been a LONG time since I've been this light.  It's exciting.  My starting weight when I started getting into real food and low carb was close to 200.  I am approaching a 50lb. weight loss.

In addition to this, thanks to some great exercises I was doing once or twice a week at the playground (assisted pull-ups on monkey bars, squats, push-ups, and planks), I am now seeing some nice improvements in body composition and muscle definition.  I'm hoping with the school year starting, I can stay on track to devote the small amount of time necessary to keep up the progress in this department.

Okay, so there's little update on my world.  I'll try to come up with an intersting post, soon, that fulfills the mission of this blog - to inform as many people as possible to alternative, viable paths to improved/optimal health.