I am having a blast. The weather here is to die for. I played golf at Weston Hills the other day. All but one green was in tip top shape. I got paired up with a nice couple, the Mathesons, and aside from 2 or 3 disgraceful shots, I played pretty darn well. I have also enjoyed great company and some good seafood (a commodity which is unavailable in Atlanta). I can honestly say I have been all over West Palm. Some of the highlights of the trip include a party on the Sweetwater beach, and a nice evening at the oasis at Sawgrass and a fireworks display on Del Ray Beach. I always find the contrast between Ga. and different parts of Fla. interesting to say the least. For one thing I have seen more fake boobs here than LA. The roads here are wild and the drivers are unbelievable. So far I have seen at least 3 accidents where cars have been flipped or standing vertically. You see around here every highway is 3 lanes, with two right up against a large concrete median. A lot of people seem to run into that median, with dire consequences. Midday on Thursday I actually saw a minivan on top of an economy car... a grotesque seen. In West Palm it seems the turn signal hasn't been invented. Another strange aspect of life here, is the fact that local use a compass to give directions. Example go west on Federal... only the sign for federal reads 6th ave sw, and how the hell do I know which way is west. Just tell me the street and which way to turn for god sake.
Although this trip seems to be going great, if I had this to do over again I would probably stay off sunrise near beach place. That way I could be near the overpriced stores I enjoy, as well as people that are as snobby and superficial as I am. I met a friend of a friend who directed and produced porn, he had a high-rise there. This dude's Condo was awesome, it overlooked the beach and a Marina filled with yachts. I had to valet park my rental there, I felt kinda strange handing a valet my Daewoo rental keys. To say this guy lives an interesting life is a huge understatement. I mean I am too shy to offer a pretty girl a drink, and here he is asking them to be in a porno. His business card is a business card sized collection of XXX clips. He even bangs some of the starlets once in a while, but of course I didn't meet any this go around. Maybe I can, uh *use* his business card later.
The last day of my trip, I dragged my hung over body out of bed in time for all out assault on my digestive system by visiting the local Cracker Barrel, which turned out to be pretty much next door to the place where most of my friends were staying. I gotta say I left my crummy hotel just in time. A large family reunion or some ridiculous thing was taking place. You had one parent screaming from the 5th floor balcony to their kids in the lobby. I asked one of these people what the hell was wrong with them. But the nail in the coffin was the fact that the health club was out of order. Guess I just have great timing, because I used it every single day but the last. The little restaurant attached to my hotel was like one big monument to Pete Rose, maybe Pete Roses' is a chain, but I have never seen one up until this trip. I kind liked seeing the old memorabilia, reminded me of watch Pete Rose play baseball when I was young. Food wasn't terrible either. Today I mostly killied time before my flight looking at the multi-million dollar beachfront homes in and around downtown West Palm. I also enjoyed a decent meal (Bucca di Beppo) by the airport with an old friend who lives here.
Well I am sitting on plane as I write this, because it seems that Florida is done with me. Even though I didn't get laid this trip, I am sitting on an exit row in the aisle seat with empty seats next to and behind me, and that is almost as good. Why am I always near a freaking crying baby "Lady will you PLEASE shut your baby up." I really think this god damned baby in front of me shit in his pants. Oh wait actually this kid threw up down his mothers' blouse... that is pretty disgusting.
Bye bye all you kooky Florida people... posted by Keith at 9:21 PM
While Americans may feel like today's social climate is now defined by the threat of terrorism, there are many internal problems facing people that are much more likely to affect them.
The Problem of Obesity
It seems that I cannot listen to a single news cast without hearing shocking statistics demonstrating the spread of the epidemic of obesity. Often the headline reads the something clever like The battle of the bulge. The CDC defines obesity as being defined by an excessively high amount of body fat or adipose tissue in relation to lean body mass (NRC p114; Stunkard p14). In other words you don't have to necessarily have a big belly to be considered obese. In fact many people that appear trim have an unhealthy ratio of lean body mass compared with their body fat. And this poses a serious health risk. Aside from the obvious quality of life issues that go along with being out of shape, obesity greatly increase the risk of developing the following conditions (some of which can be fatal): High blood pressure, hypertension, High blood cholesterol, dyslipidemia, Type 2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetes, Insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, Hyperinsulinemia, Coronary heart disease, Angina pectoris, Congestive heart failure, Stroke Gallstones, Cholescystitis and cholelithiasis, Gout Osteoarthritis, Obstructive sleep apnea and respiratory problems, Some types of cancer (such as endometrial, breast, prostate, and colon), Complications of pregnancy, Poor female reproductive health (such as menstrual irregularities, infertility, irregular ovulation), Bladder control problems (such as stress incontinence) Uric acid nephrolithiasis, Psychological disorders (such as depression, and eating disorders.1
In the year 2001 most states in the us had an obesity rate between 15-24%2. Taking those numbers into consideration, that means states had an average of about 20%, or 1 of 5 people. Do you know 1 person affected by terrorism of out 5? Between desk jobs, improvements in technology and the tremendous increase in the average size of portions served at many restaurants, there are infinite reasons that most people will find themselves overweight at some point in their lives.
What is the answer?
Well I don't know about you, but the constant barrage of these stories made me take a look at my own lifestyle. Long story short, I lost 30-40 pounds in 3 months. And I did not go on a diet or join one of the many programs dedicated to a newer thinner you (I'll tell you exactly how a little later).
Leave it to Government officials to use obesity to take away our property and freedom. Ideas such as taxing food that are known to be unhealthy like this one from a New York law maker are reprehensible and unjust. Even more distasteful and dangerous is our judiciary system getting involved by way of the law suits piling up against the manufactures or marketers of unhealthy food like this one. Just think of the can of worms that is opened by legislating lifestyle choices. Aside from the shrinking concept of individual responsibility, this could result in a scenario in which laws are made that treat you (lets assume you like donuts) from being prevented from choosing your own meal or paying a tax on it. On the other hand, we have all seen the many programs and devices ranging from sensible to completely absurd. For morbidly obese individuals, modern medicine has even presented extremes such as surgery to cut the stomach smaller and staple it.
There are fundamental flaws with nearly all of these solutions in my opinion.
A sensible program like Weight Watchers will usually work, if the client can dutifully follow its guidelines. However these programs cost money and involve an advisor or a group. It is my belief that a person is better served by doing things based on their own motivation. This way they will not be handicapped when they find themselves on their own. The biggest problem with programs that focus on a person's diet is that the growing consensus among the medical community is that exercise is more effective than dieting when the goal of a person is losing weight safely and keeping it off. It is very reasonable that a program of physical activity first and sensible diet second would both increase lean body mass and decrease fat (and that is aside from cardiovascular benefits such as healthy heart and lower blood pressure.)
Now let me tell you about some of the more absurd programs that I can remember hearing about, off the top of my head. In Atlanta a company called Body Solutions bombarded radio listeners with advertisements that claim their product melted away the pounds by taking a pill and not eating 3 hours before bed. If false promise to hopeless and desperate overweight adults wasn't bad enough, they screwed all the radio stations they advertised on by filing chapter 11 without paying them. The other ridiculous diet system that comes to mind is the Hollywood 48 Hour miracle diet. I believe this product was an overpriced bottle of fruit juice that served as your primary nourishment for 48 hours, and instantly you could lose up to 10 pounds. I am a little bit conflicted as to how to feel about these companies. On one hand separating stupid people from their money is an important tradition in this country, it sort of keeps everyone in their place. On the other hand, the mere fact that many people ARE this desperate is, in itself, tragic.
So what DOES work? Simple eat less, move more.
Here are some simple guidelines for anyone to follow. Get a heart monitor and ask your doctor to recommend a zone for you heart rate in which you will be getting a good cardio workout but not straining yourself. The heart monitor will tell you exactly how good of a workout you are getting and prevent unnecessary fatigue, injury and strains. With the monitor on, do at least 30-45 minutes of exercise in your target zone at least 3 times a week. If you want to enhance the results and tone your body, do 30 minutes to 1 hour of weights. As to when to do which exercise: do what you hate the most first, thereby assuring you don't'skip' an activity that will provide you a great benefit.
As to your diet, the most important thing here is to understand that your body can only breakdown a certain amount of food at one time, whether that food is garbage or health food. Spread your meals across longer time frames. Example you get a chicken salad sandwich and a cup of gazpacho. Use a calorie calculator like this free one. And time your eating so that you are not eating more than 200-250 per hour. posted by Keith at 5:43 AM
(as referenced in above post)
Here is exactly what I did (and still do) in an effort to lower my blood pressure which resulted in losing weight and gaining muscle. What is signifigant for me, is that I eat pretty much whatever I want, so this is realistic.
My Workout (3-7 times a week)
45 Minutes on elliptical. - Heart rate 145-160
45 Minutes on treadmill - Heart rate 145-160
3-4 sets of 3-4 exercises targeting a muscle group (change target group each workout)
(at home) 100 sit-ups using Ab Roller, 100 Push-ups using push up bars
My diet
Avoid salt whenever possible (since blood pressure was a concern)
Try not to eat more than 400 calories in a sitting (spread meals out intoless food more frequently), Per day- at least 500 less than I burn (which isn't hard cause I burn a crap load)
Try to meet USDA guidelines while eating more proteins than carbs.
What is the answer?