RSSWhat in the World is Going on?
June 2nd, 2007 by Dawn, Co-founder of Rouxbe
I was doing some research the other day and came across this video “Dr. Dean Ornish: The world now eats (and dies) like Americans.”
It is from a good blog site called www.tastythinking.com - “Food for thought and thoughts about food.” They have some interesting things to say and also some astonishing finds - in particular, the video that I mentioned. It is only a few minutes long and I strongly recommend watching it. The obeisity maps in the presentation are what really made me say…”oh my god”.
It is crazy what we have done to ourselves and what we have allowed ourselves to believe. After watching that video and thinking about myself and Rouxbe, I have decided to change a few simple things in my life and I thought I’d share it with all of you in the hope that it might provide some help for you.
Generally I eat well and fairly healthy but not always as good as I should. I also exercise on a fairly regular basis. But for some reason I have been slack in both of these departments lately. I would like to say it is because I am very busy and don’t really have the time, but that is really just an excuse and I’m no longer buying it! Because I know, that no matter how busy I am, I can exercise for at least 30 minutes a day.
So this is my plan and has been for the few weeks now. First off, I have committed to exercising every morning. For me it is usually running because it makes me feel like I am getting the most bang for my buck. I am lucky enough to have a treadmill for the time being (thanks to Joe’s sister), so I alternate between outdoor and indoor runs. The reasons I like the outdoor runs are obvious, but the indoor runs are also great. The treadmill is good because I can track very easily what I have run and how many calories I have burned. I also like to play little games with my time and calories. I say to myself, I will run for 35 minutes, then when I get to that and realize that I have burned 347 calories. I then say…. okay I will run until I hit 400 calories (I like round numbers, what can I say). Then once I get to 400 calories, I may be at 43 minutes, so I run til…well you get the picture. It works for me along with the fast paced music that is playing in my iPod. The main thing… get up and move first thing in the morning for at least 30 minutes.
I have also been eating properly. What does properly mean, you ask? Well to me, and I’m certainly no nutritionist, but to me it means eating smaller portions and eating better foods. And most importantly, eating whole foods. And the more local the better. It is not rocket science when it comes to eating well. I use my instinct and what knowledge I have to figure out what is good for me and what I should eat. For example, butter, cheese, cream sauces and milkshakes - bad, like duh! high fat content. Fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, chicken, fish etc - great. I also read labels and don’t believe everything that is on the label. Like when something says fat free, I usually say, “ya right”. Because most fat free food items have sugar which I know gets converted into fat once digested. So look at the ingredients.
Since I started this blog (yes this has been a work in progress), it has been about 3 or 4 weeks and I have to say I feel much better and lighter already. I have lost 6 pounds, just by eating smaller meals about 4 or 5 times a day. I also start everyday with some sort of exercise.
Really it is very simple: take in less calories than you burn! Here is a good site for checking out calories. I don’t actually count calories, I kind of guess-timate. Just think to yourself at the end of each day…. Did I burn more than I took in. If you did… that’s great. You’re in the “positive” as I like to think - meaning that you have positively lost weight. If you eat more than you burn.. then your in the “negative” - which means you better move more the next day or consumer fewer calories. That’s it, no fancy diet planning; just eat smart, eat less, eat more often, and exercise for crying out loud! Move your body. Oh… and eat whole foods that you cook instead of the “heat and serve” variety. Summer is here and the markets are plentiful of fresh fruits and veggies. I waited out in the blazing sun, in line at my local farmer market for 20 minutes just to buy a big bag of fresh tomatoes. It was so worth it, they are gorgeous! They are currently displayed like edible art on my counter top.
This is the perfect time of year to eat fresh and healthy food. So go out, better yet…ride your bike to your local farmers market and get inspired! After all if you can’t inspire yourself how can you inspire others…
Ciao for now dawn
Hey Dawn,
Thanks for the blog-talk (like pep talk only typing), i have been struggling with running at night….lately -too tired or busy.
you had the solution, that is obvious, maybe, but i took it and grabbed 45 minutes to myself in the morning -and feel like A MILLION BUCKS!
so thanks for that it feels like i have a new regime.
xolisa
It’s crazy how we can make time for everything else but a regular exercise schedule. My husband and I were talking about the very same thing last night on the plane home. Family visits encourage a lot of eating and, as a result, we’re feeling like blobs. We are starting a new routine this morning, and it is great to be reminded of how simple the equation really is. Calories in and calories out. Exercising makes me automatically want to eat better too. I think one of the problems is that people think they need to compensate on flavor by eating healthy. It may be a bit more work to prepare things from scratch, but at least I know what goes into my meals. I simply don’t buy processed food anymore and that is a huge step in the right direction for anyone. Thanks for the links and reminders, Dawn. Like the last commenter, we can start our own “blog rally”!
I may be unpopular for saying this, but I don’t exercise much other than walking my dog. Good genes, I guess. The thing is, food is america is all processed. After living abroad for a number of years, I actually got sick to my stomach when I returned!! (ironic after many a foray into Latin American street food stalls). The thing is, so much food in the grocery store has either been pumped full of preservatives, hormones, or god knows what else that you’re never getting anything authentic or natural. Even organic is often a misnomer (read the economist article on this). Anyway, I have succumbed to it, just making mediterranean cuisine with the fresh ingredients I can find. Also, as Americans we eat waaaay too much sugar - it’s even in our ketchup! So, stay off sweets, cook with olive oil, stop snacking on crap, and eat your correct portion size!
Well Isabel I have to say I wish I had your genes that is for sure. Although I do count my blessings as it is.
You are right about the processed crap! I do believe that the rest of the world seems to “get it” more so than North Americans.
Everyone says low-carb…yet look at how many skinny Asian people there are, and they eat rice everyday. And it’s certainly not brown rice they eat.
Eating well is not that hard like you said. I think healthy eating is made out to be harder to do and less satisfying.
I hear what you are saying about the organic and I will actually read that article, thanks!
I totally agree with you about the sugar as well. People have no idea how bad it is for them. I actually wrote something on that as well, called “Fat Free, my @$$!”. It is really sad how the giant food companies (no not all) seem to care more about making money than peoples health….argh!
Yes! for real. I was so used to US foods, until I went abroad and my vegetables lasted a day or two at most. At first that was annoying, until I realized how much better everything tasted.
I also grew up in Spain, where we eat everything with oil and “fat” - and people are not obese! That’s because there’s not much sugar in the diet, and you eat more home cooked meals. It’s also different lifestyles — more walking, less portions, big meal in the middle of the day vs. dinner - and genes, probably.
Check out the economist articles I was talking about:
Ethical Food: http://economist.com/opinion/displaystory.cfm?story_id=8381375
Enjoy!
You are so lucky to have grown up in Spain. To be brought up in a country/culture that believes that good food is just a way of life. I lived in Spain when I was in my very early 20’s as a Nanny and I loved the food (among many other things).
There is a reason why that part of the world has local outdoor markets, regularly. People think of food differently there, it’s almost more respected and people are happy to go out and buy fresh local ingredients ever couple of days.
Going to the markets in France was like an out of body experience for me when I lived there. I was like a kid in a candy store. Eating poorly doesn’t even enter your head. The rotisserie chickens with the potatoes underneath….oh my god! Allez deux Poulet 8 Euros….! Ah the memories!
Thanks again for the comments and for the link to the article. So much info out there, to weed through. I guess we all have to be informed as best we can and then do what ever makes us feel our very best.