Gonna do a little self promotion here. The Climbing magazine Rock and Ice is running a blog contest of sorts. I posted mine, Feel free to cast your vote!
http://www.rockandice.com/writingcontest07entries.php?id=6
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Monday, August 20, 2007
Um...I think these folks have been reading this blog....or the "Duh" factor is in play.
http://www.ediets.com/news/article.cfm/cmi_1958515/code_30171
My humble reactions to the whole article....
1: Having a negative defeatist attitude. If you think there is no way that you are going to succeed this time, lose the weight and keep it off, then you will be right! However, if you think positively and believe that change is at hand, you will empower your journey, and you will reach your goals!
My two cents: Duh....I'm sad this took me so long to realize.
2. Going on any diet that is NOT a manner of eating that you can adhere to for the rest of your life. Be careful when deciding what nutritional plan you want to follow, as it should be a manner of eating that matches your tastes, budget and lifestyle. You should model all of your future nutritional plans closely after how you lost the weight to keep that weight lost for good!
My two cents: kinda goes with what #3 says...
3. Believing that you will eat cabbage soup -- or any other low-cal, monotonous fare everyday for the rest of your life. If a particular odd "diet" is something that you can barely stomach, it isn't realistic to think you will eat that way for the entire time it takes to lose all the weight. It certainly won't teach you much about how to live healthfully for the long-term. Just say NO, to cabbage soup and other such funky diets!
My two cents3: Good point "diets" are "bad", you need to change the way you live your life. (and that cabbage soup crap is awful....)
4. Weighing in too frequently, letting the scale rule your mood and actions. Up to this point, have you been fixated on the scale? Well, if so, it hasn't really helped you lose weight, has it? Otherwise, you wouldn't be here, looking for yet another "diet." So do us both a favor, and pack the scale up, put a big red bow around it, and unwrap it after six months of consistent healthful living. It might actually show you something you want to see!
My two cents: Eh...I weight myself daily...does not effect my mood. I didn't weight myself for 8ish months when I first decided to change the way I live my life. and one day I'll eventually stop again, never needing to do it again.
5. Not drinking enough water. You MUST drink at least 64 ounces of water everyday, and for the overachievers, drinking up to ½ your body weight in fluid ounces a day is recommended! Early man packed up all his belongings when his water supply dried up, moved and relocated to another area where water was plentiful. They knew they couldn't live without it. Yet, we modern men have water in our kitchen faucet, and ignore it all day. The difference is that they didn't have soft drinks, coffee, sugar-filled drinks and diet soda. YUCK! Water is all that you need to drink, and you MUST drink at least 64 ounces of it a day!
My two cents. YES! H2O LOTS!
6. Drinking sugar-laden drinks -- including "fruit" drinks -- Fruitopia is neither a fruit nor a Utopia! Try putting your favorite nonwater beverage in your pet's bowl, and see if they will drink it.
My two cents: NO Soda...not even diet. It's the tool of the devil I swear... Water, tea (unsweetened and not that nestea crap either), coffee (black), Beer and wine. The last two in moderation of course.
7. Consuming processed foods more often than fresh foods. Again, think how Early Man lived and what he ate. Eating as close to natural is the best way to ensure that your body is as healthy as possible.
My two cents: Um....duh....
8. Not having a plan. Leaving your actions up to chance in life is never a good idea. "We never plan to fail, we fail to plan." Get a plan and stick with it, but make sure each step is realistic and change is gradual!
My two cents: Plan? don't go back...you changed the way you live.
9. Not being aware of the nutritional benefits or detriments of what you consume. Lettuce is a great choice to eat, but spinach and other darker leaves have more nutritional benefit than the iceberg variety. If you are going to eat, get the most bang for your buck!
My two cents: Read it the little labels things. Yes for what benefits you will get, but also what evils may lurk with in...
10. Finishing every last bite of a meal, even after you are full. Mother was wrong! Don't clean your plate, let the dishwasher do that!
My two cents: Um...how about just not taking a lot of food at once? What's the saying...eyes bigger then your stomach? (Love you Mom!)
11. Going back for seconds at meals. Does the word "glutton" sound like something you want to describe you? There is no reason ever to have seconds! If you like it that much, have it as a leftover the next day! Too much of even a good thing is no longer a good thing!
My two cents: Eh...if you are highly active (or planning to be, and I don't mean a walk around the block). After a day or two of climbing I tend to go nuts on the calories.
12. Skipping breakfast. Mother was right on this one. It is the most important meal of the day!
My two cents: Eat breakfast, High Protein and lots of whole grains (Flax...yum-o!)
13. Starving all day. When you finally get around to eating, it is usually something unhealthy (because you "can"), and it gets stored as energy later, rather than burned as energy now! You totally mess up your metabolism if you do this!
My two cents: Snacks are your friend! Just keep them "healthy". Raw veggies and raw nuts are wonderful.
14. Bingeing after "falling off the wagon," and waiting until "tomorrow" to get back on track. Admit now that you will stumble on this journey. Make it your goal to lengthen the amount of time between stumbles, and shorten the time it takes to "get back on track." This way, you may only blow it once a year, and will get back on track in five minutes! You get to that point, and there will be no problem!
My two cents: 80/20 technically I eat healthy only about 80% of the time. or 4 out of 5 meals. If you are just starting out on your change of lifestyle try to shoot for 90/10.
15. Thinking you are genetically destined to be fat. The only fat gene is the one left hanging in your closet after you lose your weight! You may be predisposed to a condition, but HOW you live determines how great its effect on your life will be!
My two cents: yes...it's all on you. You can't blame genetics for everything.
16. Treating "fat" as a personality trait. Fat is NOT a personality trait; it is a physical condition. Blond isn't a trait, either; it is a hair color! Do not allow yourself to be branded by ANY physical attribute or determent! YOU are many things, but fat is not one of them. Identify some things you love about who you are, and focus on those. They will help you realize the body you want.
My two cents: wait...what?
17. Not living each day to the fullest ... thinking that it will come when you are thinner. BE, DO and then you will HAVE! BE a healthier person, DO the things a healthier person DOES and soon, you will HAVE a healthier life!
My two cents: Probably the number one thing on this list thus far for me personally. Learn to enjoy life.
18.Thinking pills, powders or potions are more powerful than they really are for achieving weight loss. I bought diet pills after Anna Nicole Smith's weight loss. I really thought they would work! $48 later, 30 days of pills swallowed and NOTHING! Not one pound of weight loss. If those things really worked, no one would be overweight!
My two cents: Especially avoid the ones that increase your heart rate....
19. Thinking of exercise as a chore instead of a way to improve your health and life. Not scheduling exercise as a vital part of your day and week. If today, you were in an accident, paralyzed and could never walk again, do you think you would long to be able to go for a walk? Exercise is a "GET TO", not a "HAVE TO." It is a joy to move your body and get your endorphins flowing. They truly are nature's reward for demanding physical fitness of ourselves. PUSH yourself; you will be amazed at how it feels!
My two cents: Make "working out" part of your life style. For me...climbing is a lifestyle. (as much time as I have for it anyway...)
20. Indulging excessively in alcohol. Bottom line: When you drink, you suck down excess calories, alter your mind and let down your guard. Stupid things happen when we drink too much. Too many calories, too much food and too many regrets. Live in control and live freely!
My two cents: Avoid mixed drinks. Drink plain beer and wine. I think I'll have at most only a few beers a week.
21. Watching sports rather than participating in sports. Would it be more fun to watch the Super Bowl or be the MVP of the game? Is it more fun to watch an amazing homerun, or actually bring home the winning run for your softball team? It is more fun to watch spoiled millionaires dribble an orange ball, or run down the court trying to guard an old friend? Sunday football is a tradition, but playing a game of it in your own front yard will provide memories that will last long after the season is over!
My two cents: I say again..duh... Find an activity you love (video games are not an activity) and work your life around it.
22. Watching too much television. New rule: NO TV viewing unless you have walked for 30 minutes! My rule is that I get on my Octane Elliptical machine and stay on it until whatever show I want to watch is over! One night I made the mistake of watching a two-hour show! I did 90 minutes on the Elliptical before throwing in the towel! "Must-see TV," means "want-to-see" body for me!
My two cents: True...I went from watching about 15-20 hours of TV a week to about...4.
23. Thinking that "dieting" sprees -- and not a total lifestyle change -- will garner lasting weight loss results. If you aren't changing your life, you aren't making lasting changes!
My two cents: ..............................................................................................................................
24. Consuming fast foods on a regular basis. The fried, greasy and high-calorie fast food that dominates our society's eating habits today is the leading cause of the obesity epidemic that we now face. If you have no choice other than fast food, please order a salad with grilled chicken, one packet of light dressing w/ lemon wedges, a bottle of water and extra chicken if you are hungry, but when they say "do you want fries with that?" Say, "Do you want me to be unhealthy and die young?" Hopefully, both answers will be no!
My two cents: Fast foods are evil. If you have to eat out eat out healthy, local places are sometimes better then chain places. There are some fast food options that are healthy. my fav (as far as chain places)... Chipotle - Chicken Fajita Bowl all of about 580 cals; Rice, Chicken, veggies, Salsa and lettuce. No Cheese, Sour cream or Guacamole. (OH NOES!...the tasty stuff...suck it up princess ya ain't gonna miss it...)
25. Waiting for tomorrow to "get started," rather than RIGHT NOW! Right now, there are thousands of members logged on to eDiets.com, in the chat rooms, on the support boards, watching online anytime meetings and waiting to lend their support. There are teams of nutritionists to help you understand basic, healthy human nutritional needs. There is hope, and there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
My two cents: Do it now, don't "wait till monday". Go walk, run, lift, climb! Friends and family will support you. They are probally the best and biggest source for encouragement. Also, to help myself out I started this blog almost a year ago.
My humble reactions to the whole article....
1: Having a negative defeatist attitude. If you think there is no way that you are going to succeed this time, lose the weight and keep it off, then you will be right! However, if you think positively and believe that change is at hand, you will empower your journey, and you will reach your goals!
My two cents: Duh....I'm sad this took me so long to realize.
2. Going on any diet that is NOT a manner of eating that you can adhere to for the rest of your life. Be careful when deciding what nutritional plan you want to follow, as it should be a manner of eating that matches your tastes, budget and lifestyle. You should model all of your future nutritional plans closely after how you lost the weight to keep that weight lost for good!
My two cents: kinda goes with what #3 says...
3. Believing that you will eat cabbage soup -- or any other low-cal, monotonous fare everyday for the rest of your life. If a particular odd "diet" is something that you can barely stomach, it isn't realistic to think you will eat that way for the entire time it takes to lose all the weight. It certainly won't teach you much about how to live healthfully for the long-term. Just say NO, to cabbage soup and other such funky diets!
My two cents3: Good point "diets" are "bad", you need to change the way you live your life. (and that cabbage soup crap is awful....)
4. Weighing in too frequently, letting the scale rule your mood and actions. Up to this point, have you been fixated on the scale? Well, if so, it hasn't really helped you lose weight, has it? Otherwise, you wouldn't be here, looking for yet another "diet." So do us both a favor, and pack the scale up, put a big red bow around it, and unwrap it after six months of consistent healthful living. It might actually show you something you want to see!
My two cents: Eh...I weight myself daily...does not effect my mood. I didn't weight myself for 8ish months when I first decided to change the way I live my life. and one day I'll eventually stop again, never needing to do it again.
5. Not drinking enough water. You MUST drink at least 64 ounces of water everyday, and for the overachievers, drinking up to ½ your body weight in fluid ounces a day is recommended! Early man packed up all his belongings when his water supply dried up, moved and relocated to another area where water was plentiful. They knew they couldn't live without it. Yet, we modern men have water in our kitchen faucet, and ignore it all day. The difference is that they didn't have soft drinks, coffee, sugar-filled drinks and diet soda. YUCK! Water is all that you need to drink, and you MUST drink at least 64 ounces of it a day!
My two cents. YES! H2O LOTS!
6. Drinking sugar-laden drinks -- including "fruit" drinks -- Fruitopia is neither a fruit nor a Utopia! Try putting your favorite nonwater beverage in your pet's bowl, and see if they will drink it.
My two cents: NO Soda...not even diet. It's the tool of the devil I swear... Water, tea (unsweetened and not that nestea crap either), coffee (black), Beer and wine. The last two in moderation of course.
7. Consuming processed foods more often than fresh foods. Again, think how Early Man lived and what he ate. Eating as close to natural is the best way to ensure that your body is as healthy as possible.
My two cents: Um....duh....
8. Not having a plan. Leaving your actions up to chance in life is never a good idea. "We never plan to fail, we fail to plan." Get a plan and stick with it, but make sure each step is realistic and change is gradual!
My two cents: Plan? don't go back...you changed the way you live.
9. Not being aware of the nutritional benefits or detriments of what you consume. Lettuce is a great choice to eat, but spinach and other darker leaves have more nutritional benefit than the iceberg variety. If you are going to eat, get the most bang for your buck!
My two cents: Read it the little labels things. Yes for what benefits you will get, but also what evils may lurk with in...
10. Finishing every last bite of a meal, even after you are full. Mother was wrong! Don't clean your plate, let the dishwasher do that!
My two cents: Um...how about just not taking a lot of food at once? What's the saying...eyes bigger then your stomach? (Love you Mom!)
11. Going back for seconds at meals. Does the word "glutton" sound like something you want to describe you? There is no reason ever to have seconds! If you like it that much, have it as a leftover the next day! Too much of even a good thing is no longer a good thing!
My two cents: Eh...if you are highly active (or planning to be, and I don't mean a walk around the block). After a day or two of climbing I tend to go nuts on the calories.
12. Skipping breakfast. Mother was right on this one. It is the most important meal of the day!
My two cents: Eat breakfast, High Protein and lots of whole grains (Flax...yum-o!)
13. Starving all day. When you finally get around to eating, it is usually something unhealthy (because you "can"), and it gets stored as energy later, rather than burned as energy now! You totally mess up your metabolism if you do this!
My two cents: Snacks are your friend! Just keep them "healthy". Raw veggies and raw nuts are wonderful.
14. Bingeing after "falling off the wagon," and waiting until "tomorrow" to get back on track. Admit now that you will stumble on this journey. Make it your goal to lengthen the amount of time between stumbles, and shorten the time it takes to "get back on track." This way, you may only blow it once a year, and will get back on track in five minutes! You get to that point, and there will be no problem!
My two cents: 80/20 technically I eat healthy only about 80% of the time. or 4 out of 5 meals. If you are just starting out on your change of lifestyle try to shoot for 90/10.
15. Thinking you are genetically destined to be fat. The only fat gene is the one left hanging in your closet after you lose your weight! You may be predisposed to a condition, but HOW you live determines how great its effect on your life will be!
My two cents: yes...it's all on you. You can't blame genetics for everything.
16. Treating "fat" as a personality trait. Fat is NOT a personality trait; it is a physical condition. Blond isn't a trait, either; it is a hair color! Do not allow yourself to be branded by ANY physical attribute or determent! YOU are many things, but fat is not one of them. Identify some things you love about who you are, and focus on those. They will help you realize the body you want.
My two cents: wait...what?
17. Not living each day to the fullest ... thinking that it will come when you are thinner. BE, DO and then you will HAVE! BE a healthier person, DO the things a healthier person DOES and soon, you will HAVE a healthier life!
My two cents: Probably the number one thing on this list thus far for me personally. Learn to enjoy life.
18.Thinking pills, powders or potions are more powerful than they really are for achieving weight loss. I bought diet pills after Anna Nicole Smith's weight loss. I really thought they would work! $48 later, 30 days of pills swallowed and NOTHING! Not one pound of weight loss. If those things really worked, no one would be overweight!
My two cents: Especially avoid the ones that increase your heart rate....
19. Thinking of exercise as a chore instead of a way to improve your health and life. Not scheduling exercise as a vital part of your day and week. If today, you were in an accident, paralyzed and could never walk again, do you think you would long to be able to go for a walk? Exercise is a "GET TO", not a "HAVE TO." It is a joy to move your body and get your endorphins flowing. They truly are nature's reward for demanding physical fitness of ourselves. PUSH yourself; you will be amazed at how it feels!
My two cents: Make "working out" part of your life style. For me...climbing is a lifestyle. (as much time as I have for it anyway...)
20. Indulging excessively in alcohol. Bottom line: When you drink, you suck down excess calories, alter your mind and let down your guard. Stupid things happen when we drink too much. Too many calories, too much food and too many regrets. Live in control and live freely!
My two cents: Avoid mixed drinks. Drink plain beer and wine. I think I'll have at most only a few beers a week.
21. Watching sports rather than participating in sports. Would it be more fun to watch the Super Bowl or be the MVP of the game? Is it more fun to watch an amazing homerun, or actually bring home the winning run for your softball team? It is more fun to watch spoiled millionaires dribble an orange ball, or run down the court trying to guard an old friend? Sunday football is a tradition, but playing a game of it in your own front yard will provide memories that will last long after the season is over!
My two cents: I say again..duh... Find an activity you love (video games are not an activity) and work your life around it.
22. Watching too much television. New rule: NO TV viewing unless you have walked for 30 minutes! My rule is that I get on my Octane Elliptical machine and stay on it until whatever show I want to watch is over! One night I made the mistake of watching a two-hour show! I did 90 minutes on the Elliptical before throwing in the towel! "Must-see TV," means "want-to-see" body for me!
My two cents: True...I went from watching about 15-20 hours of TV a week to about...4.
23. Thinking that "dieting" sprees -- and not a total lifestyle change -- will garner lasting weight loss results. If you aren't changing your life, you aren't making lasting changes!
My two cents: ..............................................................................................................................
24. Consuming fast foods on a regular basis. The fried, greasy and high-calorie fast food that dominates our society's eating habits today is the leading cause of the obesity epidemic that we now face. If you have no choice other than fast food, please order a salad with grilled chicken, one packet of light dressing w/ lemon wedges, a bottle of water and extra chicken if you are hungry, but when they say "do you want fries with that?" Say, "Do you want me to be unhealthy and die young?" Hopefully, both answers will be no!
My two cents: Fast foods are evil. If you have to eat out eat out healthy, local places are sometimes better then chain places. There are some fast food options that are healthy. my fav (as far as chain places)... Chipotle - Chicken Fajita Bowl all of about 580 cals; Rice, Chicken, veggies, Salsa and lettuce. No Cheese, Sour cream or Guacamole. (OH NOES!...the tasty stuff...suck it up princess ya ain't gonna miss it...)
25. Waiting for tomorrow to "get started," rather than RIGHT NOW! Right now, there are thousands of members logged on to eDiets.com, in the chat rooms, on the support boards, watching online anytime meetings and waiting to lend their support. There are teams of nutritionists to help you understand basic, healthy human nutritional needs. There is hope, and there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
My two cents: Do it now, don't "wait till monday". Go walk, run, lift, climb! Friends and family will support you. They are probally the best and biggest source for encouragement. Also, to help myself out I started this blog almost a year ago.
Weekend: Dude, have you climbed "naturals" before...?
Rain rain rain rain rain....shale I say that again? It Rained all weekend. The poor pups didn't get out at all. The slept a lot and every now and then decided to play in the house... Now 200+ lbs of dog playing in your living room...i'll leave it at that.
Saturday morning I was crazy enough to go running even though there was a small sprinkle when I started. Though it progressed to a shower after about 10 minutes. I ran 2ish miles. Lately I have been just going out running, not tracking time or distance. I know about what certain routes are, but eh, not gonna get technical with it. Then mowed the front yard and it was off to the climbing gym. Did a few climbs and finally was able to traverse the whole wall clockwise. My next goal is to do it counter clock-wise and then i'll see where that leads. The traverse is about 110 foot around the "rock" and depending on how much you up and down climb while you traverse you can make it a 150 foot "climb" though side ways.
Saturday night I went to Brian's house and spent the evening chatting about everything and anything. Generally focused around living different places, work and climbing. Ended up getting home about oh...1 am.
Sunday, went to VE for the day (due to this crap-tastic weather we've been having around here) . Not a bad day, didn't get any leading in , but I took a go at an 11a, didn't make it to far... :)
When I was waiting for these two guys to finish up on a route (looked fun)...Long story short... I got a kick out of it when they asked me if I had "climbed naturals" before, also kindly pointing out that they where in fact different from "holds"...I smiled and nodded...oh...a few times...
Saturday morning I was crazy enough to go running even though there was a small sprinkle when I started. Though it progressed to a shower after about 10 minutes. I ran 2ish miles. Lately I have been just going out running, not tracking time or distance. I know about what certain routes are, but eh, not gonna get technical with it. Then mowed the front yard and it was off to the climbing gym. Did a few climbs and finally was able to traverse the whole wall clockwise. My next goal is to do it counter clock-wise and then i'll see where that leads. The traverse is about 110 foot around the "rock" and depending on how much you up and down climb while you traverse you can make it a 150 foot "climb" though side ways.
Saturday night I went to Brian's house and spent the evening chatting about everything and anything. Generally focused around living different places, work and climbing. Ended up getting home about oh...1 am.
Sunday, went to VE for the day (due to this crap-tastic weather we've been having around here) . Not a bad day, didn't get any leading in , but I took a go at an 11a, didn't make it to far... :)
When I was waiting for these two guys to finish up on a route (looked fun)...Long story short... I got a kick out of it when they asked me if I had "climbed naturals" before, also kindly pointing out that they where in fact different from "holds"...I smiled and nodded...oh...a few times...
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Trad: A new look on climbing.
I led four more climbs this weekend and while on the forth, a new outlook on climbing came to me. I love leading trad. While i'm still learning gear placements and asking the person who follows, to critiqued my placements. I realized...it truly is a great way to climb rock, for me anyway ;) .
Saturday morning Jeff and I met up at Drapers. The temperature for the day was supposed to be around 95. A lovely August day in Southern Illinois. The first three climbs we did were 5.6 climbs, mixed protection, some bolts to avoid "run out" (area of a climb where you can't place protection). About noon we decided to do a 2 pitch 5.6 called "Bloody Nose". The lead was something else. This is a climb that would be imposable on Top Rope. You need to lead it. I led the first pitch, it was about 50-70 (was hard to tell) feet though a sort-a chimney crack type formation, (spider webs everywhere looked like it hadn't been climbed in a long while). Above an old winding pine tree there was the belay station. Jeff followed and led the second pitch, which is a 30-40 foot traverse to another anchor. Once he got around the corner I hear "Ouch..the rock is to hot to even touch. Gotta love those Southern Illinois summers. Most of the second pitch was in direct sunlight. After Jeff set up anchor. I climbed over and we rapped down. We needed to use two ropes tied together (for safety, we couldn't see if both ends of a single rope would reach the ground) because of the height. Probably about 100-110ish feet up. However about half way down there is another set of anchors. So we could have done it with one rope and two rappels. But a long, fun rappel. I wish I remember my gloves, ATCs get HOT!
(Picture: Me rappelling down from "Good Day")
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Soill!
I'm heading down to Soill tonight, to relax by the Huff's new pool and (weather permitting) gonna go to Draper's Bluffs and see if I can't scratch my new cams up a bit :)
My slowly growing Trad rack.
More when I get back (or board down there and dialup to the internet!)
My slowly growing Trad rack.
More when I get back (or board down there and dialup to the internet!)
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