Healthy Restaurants in Orange County – Nalu’s Hawaiian Fish Grill

Looking for a healthy restaurant that actually tastes good?

Orange County is full of great restaurants, but every once in awhile you run into a diamond in the rough.  A few weeks back, a client of mine introduced me to James Pham, owner of Nalu’s Fish Grill.  James was a laid back surfer guy who had opened Nalu’s about 8 years previous. He seemed like a nice guy, so we cruised by to check it out.

After visiting his restaurant, I was completely hooked.  Not only is the food good, but its healthy too!

• No trans-fat
• No MSG
• No high fructose corn syrup
• Use natural Hawaiian cane sugar
• Use Hawaiian mineral-rich rock salt
• Source from local produce Farmers who practice sustainable agriculture
• Source from livestock ranchers who raise hormone free, grain fed animals

Most of us that try to eat healthy run into the same old dilemna, which is sacrificing flavor for health.  That’s not the case at Nalu’s.

Their menu is full of tasty stuff, but here are my favorites:

1. Seared Garlic Ahi

2. Signature Salmon

3. Spicy Poke

** For sides, I would recommend getting brown rice, steamed veggies and cole slaw.

Usually dining out is a risk to our health, but James has really put together a killer menu.  Everybody we take there gets hooked, so be careful.  haha

They have 2 locations Irvine and Laguna Niguel

So, if you’re in the area, be sure and swing by!

MQPV8BSPKQSV

Healthy Recipes – Steak, Sweet Potato and Simple Salad

A lot of people kinda freak out when they try to improve their eating habits.  The idea of cooking scares most people, but it doesn’t need to be a complicated issue.  Lots of the best meals are incredibly simple and tasty!

Here is a simple meal that I had this weekend.

Part 1 – Grilled Organic, Grass fed New York Strip Steak. Added a little pepper and grilled it medium.

Part 2 – Baked sweet potatoes in an oven at 350 for about 30 minutes.  Once they are done, mashed em up.

Part 3 – Simple salad. Romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, grilled corn and Balsamic Vinegar Dressing.

Pretty simple, right?

People are always looking for flavorful healthy recipes, so if you have a favorite, be sure and share it with us all!

Pieces of the Puzzle – Part 2 – Nutrition Nightmares!

Ever take a 3 year old into a toy store?

What happens?

You know the story…I want this, I want that, can I have this…almost as bad as a woman in the shoe store, but I digress.

Now, you may smile and laugh because of a recent encounter with this.  You may have even learned a lesson and avoid this situation at all costs!

You don’t blame them for this, right?  Kids don’t know any better and it takes time for them to learn that they can’t have everything they see.  You obviously don’t buy them everything they want, because they will become spoiled and you’ll go broke!

Pretty obvious, right?

My question is:  Why do most adults correct their kids about WANTING everything at the store, then allow themselves to indulge in every glutinous pleasure they encounter?

I’m sure you don’t do this, but it really just boils down to human nature.

In truth, I really don’t think people these days understand how to eat healthy.  There is so much noise out there regarding healthy foods, diets, plans, groups, supplements, replacements, suppressants and other stuff, that it has become very confusing.  Some people may scream “fat free” or “sugar free”, but is that really the answer?

Major Problems with Our Nutrition

1.  People don’t know what to eat

Eat this vs eat that..so many questions, right?  This diet, that diet, fat free, sugar free, sugar substitutes, trans fats, marketing, doctors, friends, family etc etc etc.  Everyone has an opinion.  Most people I talk to are completely confused, frustrated and looking for the truth.

2.  People have become dependent on convenience

Everyone is busy, so if they are going to eat healthy, they have to figure out how to make it work in their crazy schedule.  Taking the time to plan, shop and preparing good food is more simple than you may think.

3.  Don’t expect perfection, just stay tuned to the process.

People always stumble or get stuck in a funny situation and eat poorly.  The key is to do your best on the next meal, the next snack or the next day.  Perfection is not the goal, so relax.  Use each mistake or challenge as a learning experience.

Those who succeed will be the ones who are most prepared for any situation.  See below for specific tips and tools to help you along the way.

4.  You’re too emotionally attached.  Food is comfort and pleasure.

This is no different than your kid touching the stove, burning his/her hand and then learning not to touch the hot stove, right?  If you keep leaving the bread on the table at dinner, eat the whole thing, then feel guilty…my advise is to learn to tell the waiter to get that basket of rolls away from you.  Simple.

Is your goal bigger than the temptation?

3 simple ways to eat healthier without the pain of dieting.

1.  Get the bad food out of your house, office, car, purse, backpack, etc.

Here is a good rule of thumb…If God made it, eat it.  The more we touch it (alter it, refine it, package it, market it, etc) RUN!  I truly believe that eating more naturally occurring foods will transform the way you look, feel, perform and recover!

Now, since we are all a little weak, it is vital to get the bad food out of site.  Don’t tempt yourself with the bad alternative.  If oatmeal raisin cookies or brownies are around, I WILL EAT them!  I have proven it time and time again, so I have learned not to keep them around.

** KEY POINT: I do NOT expect perfection from myself or my clients.  I indulge from time to time, but it is not a daily habit.  An occasional sweet is not the end of the world.  Enjoy it and move on

2.  Surround yourself with good food and snacks

Once the bad food is out, then its time to restock the shelves with good food.  We have provided a great shopping list for you to use as a template at the grocery store.  You should also look for local farmer’s markets.  These can be a great way to find fresh produce, save money and support a local farmer.  Once you’ve got good food around, then you should cook a few meals and/or prep it for the week.

I prefer to cook on Sunday and Wed nights.  I cook  a large amount of food, divvy it into Tupperware and then I have it ready for the next few days.  This process solves 2 big problems:  Getting busy, not having good food available and making a poor choice…and its a simple way to control portion sizes.

Plus, did I mention that this could save you hundreds of dollars per month?  Check out the Dining Out Budget sheet for more details.

3.  Forget “diet” food – fat free, sugar free and other diet gimmicks are just marketing hype.

Filtering out all the hype and noise is the next big task.  These days we are bombarded with new foods, diets, supplements and ideas.  The truth is that without having a good foundation of real, natural foods, all the supplements, bars and shakes are useless.  Its not just about fat, carbs and protein.  Real, whole, natural foods provide minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, phytonutrients, a variety of amino acids, fiber, carbohydrates and fats.  We need all of these things to function at our highest levels.

Most diet foods tend to focus on Protein or Sugar, but lack the balance we need to function properly.  So realize that the majority of your calories should come from natural foods and everyone should eat a balance of proteins, fats and carbohydrates.  Strive to hit the basics before you start thinking about supplements or drastic diet plans.  I bet you’ll be surprised how great you feel!

“It’s the unconscious behaviors that impact diet/nutrition the most. Being conscious is important w/ food choices”  -Candice Cendana

Thought Candice (aka @HealthOC) hit the nail on the head when she sent me this tip on Twitter.  Lots of us have heard about healthy food, read books, and heard scary statistics, but unfortunately we continue with our old bad habits.  In order to change, we have to become conscious of our eating habits.

What we Think we do and what we ACTUALLY do are two different things

Ideally, you would keep a daily Food Journal, but here are some simple questions to assess your daily drill:

Get out a piece of paper and simply fill in the blanks.

1.  I wake up at ___and eat ______________. (include drinks)

2.  I stop on the way to school/work and get ________________.

3.  I always snack on ____________ in between meals.

4.  My favorite snack is _______________.

5.  I usually (pick one) bring my lunch to work  /  go out to lunch.

6.  If you dine out for lunch…I usually eat ____________ for lunch.

7.  I usually buy a _____________ to drink from the gas station, vending machine or quicky mart.

8.  I usually have __ cups of coffee per day

9.  I usually have __ alcoholic drinks per night.

10. When go out on the weekends, I will have ___ glasses of wine/beers/other drinks.

11.  I eat ___ meals at restaurants every week.

12.  I cook ___ meals at my house each week.

13.  I ________ vegetables.

14.  I go grocery shopping every ___________.

15.  I plan my meals for the week every ____________.

16.  ___________ is my day to plan, prepare and cook meals.

17.  I could schedule time on __________ to shop, prepare and cook every week.

18.  (Yes or NO) I am conscious of the amount of food I eat.  Yes or No

19.  I keep a food journal each day. Yes or No

20.  I take the time to learn and gather new healthy recipes and ideas. Yes or No

21.  Eating good, quality food is important to me.  Yes or No

22.  I am willing to work on implementing new eating habits to help my family become healthier. Yes or No

These are just some basic questions to get you thinking (conscious) about your eating habits.  The next step is to actually start making healthier choices, implementing them into your life and creating new habits that help you work toward your goals.  Remember, you have everything you need to change and you are strong and powerful enough to make these changes.

Is it always gonna be easy, of course not, but nothing worth while ever is

Recommended Tools and Resources:

Check out our FREE Fitness Tools page for grocery shopping lists, sample days, and more.

You should also check out the Nutrition Articles on our blog.  They are packed full of helpful information!

If you have specific questions, leave us a comment!

Next Up! Pieces of the Puzzle – Part 3 – Learning the ins and outs of Exercise.

• How to Get Started
• Exercise Selection
• Making Progress
• Changing things up
• Answers to a few Important Questions

Gonna be a great one, don’t miss it!

8 Simple Tips to Enjoy the Holidays and Avoid Belly Bulge!

The holidays are a great opportunity to enjoy time with friends and family, however, many people use this time of year as an excuse to forget their health goals and over indulge in high sugar and high fat treats.  On average, Americans gain a few pounds over the holidays.  No big deal, right?  Maybe not.  Research shows that these pounds tend to stick, so this can add up to a significant amount of weight gain over the years.  The keys to avoiding a growing waistline are moderation and mindfulness when eating.

Follow these eight simple tips to still have fun at your holiday party while maintaining your weight:

• Eat breakfast. This is a must any time of the year, but especially important when faced with candied yams, buttery mashed potatoes and warm apple pie a la mode at the end of the day.  Make sure that you’re not arriving at your holiday party starving as this will only lead to over eating.
• Use a smaller plate. If you’re at a pot-luck or buffet style party, a smaller plate can help you keep your portion sizes small.
• Fill your plate with veggies first. It’s been shown that people who eat a salad first are more likely to eat fewer calories at a meal.
• Wait 10 minutes before getting your second helping. Ask yourself if you’re actually hungry before you get more food!  Listen to your body’s cues and see what it actually needs.
• Choose lower calorie beverages. Most of the beers in the Sam Adams Winter Classics Mix Pack contain around 200 calories.  Have one for taste and stick to light beer the rest of the night.  If you’re drinking a cocktail, choose soda water as a mixer instead of tonic water.  Tonic water has about 60 calories per serving, while soda water has zero.
• Taste desserts, don’t get full on them. Pick your favorite dessert and share it with a friend to enjoy just a few bites.
• Bring a healthy food tray to the party. It may not seem as cool to bring the veggie tray instead of the gingerbread cookies, but I’m sure there will be others at your party that will appreciate the healthier option.
• Fit in some exercise. Everyone is busy running around trying to find last minute gifts, but don’t cut your workouts.  Always keep an appointment with your trainer or set up a time to workout with a friend.

One of my favorite quotes may also help you make healthier choices during the holidays:

“We are what we repeatedly do.  Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.” – Aristotle

If having your best body or striving for excellent health is one of your goals, don’t let the holidays be your scapegoat for being able to eat and drink whatever you want.  Reaching your health goals should be a continuous, year-round effort.  Enjoy your time this holiday season and always keep your health in mind.

Amanda Brown is a Registered Dietitian and the newest trainer to the Innovative Results family.  She is a talented athlete and a valued addition to our team.  Stay on the lookout for more great nutrition info coming soon!

Merry Christmas!

Healthy Holiday Eating Tips for Thanksgiving

Did you realize that most people gain 10 lbs during the holidays?

Here’s a fact:  The average thanksgiving meal is 2000 calories!

Here’s a few tips to help ya avoid disaster:

1. Don’t go hungry – avoiding meals all day and then having one huge meal is a big mistake.  Eat breakfast, have a snack and don’t get too hungry before the big meal.

2.  Don’t go crazy with portions – use a smaller plate, limit portions and don’t stuff yourself.  I’d rather see you eat a few smaller plates of good food throughout the day, than to stuff yourself all at once.

3.  Don’t drink your calories – punches, eggnogs, juice, alcohol, etc will pack on a ton of sugars and extra calories.

4.  Take your time eating – remember that Thanksgiving is about spending time with the people that you love.  Take your time and enjoy your time together.  Eat slowly, breath and you will feel better.

5.  Exercise that morning – A good workout in the morning will help wake you up,plus it will help jumpstart your metabolism before a big day of eating.  This will not only make you feel better, but will help counteract some of the excess calories.

6.  Go for a walk after you eat – I promise this is a winner.  As tempting as it is to fall asleep on the couch, a good walk outside will really help you feel better after a big meal.

Plus, here are a few good recipes for ya:

Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes

Top 5 Healthy Holiday Foods

Lastly, remember that Thanksgiving is about being thankful for what we have.  Take some time and make a list of the things you are thankful for.

Better yet, leave us a comment about the things you are thankful for.

This has been an amazing year for Innovative Results and we are all humbled by the love, support and people that have helped us along the way.  You guys and gals are all amazing!

Have a great holiday!

Fun Grilling Recipes and Local Events to Keep You Active this Labor Day!

Break Out The Grills!

Labor Day is Almost Here!

Holidays and social gatherings tend to bring out the lurking garbage that is waiting to throw you off the path to your fitness goals.  We know it’s hard to be perfect, so we looked into some healthy grilling alternatives that may save you a few calories!

Summer Squash Chicken

Corn Pepper Jack Quesdilla

Mediterranean Portobello Burger

Grilled Tuna with Olive Relish

Pork Chops with Peach BBQ Sauce

And for the sweet tooth!

Dark Chocolate Banana S’Mores

Remember moderation is the key to your success!  Even healthy snacking in abundance can keep you from your goals.

Looking for something to do this weekend?  Check out some of these local events!

Long Beach Blues Bash – September 4th

Yelp OC’s Bougie Wine Bus Hooky Day – September 3rd

Orange County Street Fair – September 3rd-6th

Disney Half Marathon – September 5th

Pacific Festival – Costa Mesa – September 4th

Walking with the Dinosaurs – September 1st-5th

It’s Time For a Change – 5 Steps To a New You

Do You Believe Everything You Read in Magazines or Hear on TV?

Get Abs like Brittney Spears

Learn how Jessica Alba develops her perfect Behind

Get Guns the Size of Texas

Just 15 minutes a day….

You’ve all seen it, but do you really believe it?

Unfortunately, most people do believe that these are the real answers that will lead them to the body of their dreams.  The truth is, the models you see in magazines and on tv have been dieting down for weeks and have been working out for years!  This “Do this workout and look like this model” implication is rediculous and it makes people crazy.

So many people I hear, see and work with in the gym want fast results.  They want to do the minimal amount of work, they don’t want to train for years, but they want to look amazing in 4 weeks.

How many infomercials have suckered you in?

The good news is that your body CAN CHANGE QUICKLY, but you have to be prepared to make some changes!

Got a wedding or big event in 3 months?

Going to a class reunion?

Need to fit in a bikini before your big vacation?

STEP #1 Find Your Motivation

Motivation gets you started and keeps you going, so make it count.  Why do you want to change?  The more emotional, the better! The most dramatic changes I have seen recently were from my brides that were training for their weddings.  They were motivated by the thought of looking great on the BIG DAYS!

Write it down and keep it close to you.

STEP #2 Food is FUEL

Americans eating habits are the cause of obesity, period.  If you want dramatic change, then you will need to overhaul your eating habits.  My suggestion is to download our Shopping List, Lean Eating Plan and our Food Log.  You will need to reference these on a daily basis, until you develop new eating habits. Here are three main eating tips to get you started:

1.  Get bad foods out of your house! If they are around, you will eat them.

2. Do not drink calories.  Water and tea are your best choices.

3. Start packing your lunch and snacks.  Having good food ready is your key to success.

STEP #3 The best workout for you is the one you’re not doing

What?  There are two groups of people to address here:

Most people don’t workout at all, so they just need to blow their ass off the couch and do something.  Go for a walk, take the stairs, climb a hill, go for a swim, go for a bike ride, etc.  You can do this stuff before work, at lunch or after work.  The goal is just to start moving.

The other group is the people who are relatively active, but they are stuck in a rut.  They move, but they’ve been doing the exact same workout for years.  I hear it all the time…

“I’ve been running two miles a day for 5 years and I’m just not losing any weight.”

Our bodies are amazing at adapting.  While a simple walk may be tough at first, it will become easier and you will have to change it up.  Most people who workout do the same workouts every week, whether they are in the gym or not.  Gym rats will do the same body part, with the same movements, at the same weight for years!  Runner’s will do the same route, at the same pace…..well, you get the picture.

So, how long has it been since your workout had an overhaul?

Need ideas? Check out this article:

8 Ways to Turbo Charge Your Workouts

STEP #4 Take Some Time OFF!

Everyone these days wakes up early for work, rushes out of the house, scrambles to work, stresses out all day, fights thru traffic, races the kids to activities, shovels food in on the way home, plops on the couch, tries to relax, then can’t go to sleep because they are so busy.  Sound familiar?

You need to take time for yourself.  Time to think or time to allow yourself to recuperate and re energize.  It can be a simple as a walk outside, a book by the pool, a massage, 30 minutes in the garden, an art or craft, a movie, a drive in the car, etc.  The bottom line is that you need to find activities that relax your mind and schedule them into your calendar.

STEP #5 You Need a Support Team

All major changes require a team.  Working out, changing your eating and developing healthier habits are no different.  You need to surround yourself with like minded people to give yourself a fighting chance.  Gather up your friends, family, coworkers and start walking through these steps.  If that doesn’t work, maybe you need to hire a coach or personal trainer to help you develop these new habits.  The key is to find people that will encourage you and help you along the way.

Change does not have to be difficult, you just need to understand that change takes time.  You need to be ready for long term commitment, but also need to schedule short term victories.  Make small changes at first and allow yourself to gain momentum.  As you make better choices, you will naturally start to notice improvements in your body and mind.  Celebrate your small victories and stay focused on your goals.

If you have any questions about starting or changing your program, please let us know.  You can submit questions to the “ask a trainer” box in the upper right of  this page or give us a call.

We are always happy to help!

Are Eggs Good for You?

There seems to be a lot of confusion about eggs these days.

Are they healthy?

The truth is that eggs are probably the most nutritious foods available.  In fact, high omega – 3 eggs are nature’s nearly perfect food.  They are loaded with almost every known nutrient, protein, and good fats.  Look for organic, free range, omega – 3 eggs at your local grocery store.

Are eggs loaded with cholesterol?

The cholesterol scare was based not on eggs themselves, but on powdered eggs (which were of course oxidized) and on crystalline cholesterol, at huge intakes (1,500 to over 4,000 milligrams per day), way beyond anything a human would eat per day.  These were  pharmacological studies, not food studies.  There are, in fact, exactly zero studies showing a link between actual eggs and heart disease. *

Should you eat the yolk or not?

Yes.  Half of the protein and all of the nutrients are in the yolk.  Don’t believe the hype.  The only people that think you shouldn’t eat eggs are the people pushing another product or drug.

What about if I want to lose body fat?

Dropping body fat is not a mystery.  Eggs and egg yolks will not add fat stores to your body.  Most people’s issue is an overload of refined carbohydrates/sugars, hydrogenated oils/fats, and other chemicals added to processed foods and beverages.  Here is a simple rule that works almost every time.

Eat natural food.

You’ve probably heard this before, but do you apply it?  Organic, naturally occurring foods are always best for us.  Packaged, processed, convenient food has been the down fall of our health.

Get back to the basics and you will be shocked how you look better, feel better and perform better than you have in many years!

References:

* Good Fat. Fran McCullough 2004

11 Simple Tips to Burn Fat and Boost Your Metabolism

There are many people who would give their first born to increase their metabolism. Why, you ask?  Because having a high metabolism enables you to burn fat and lose weight fast with the least amount of effort. Simply put, metabolism is the rate by which the body produces and consumes energy and calories to support life.

Now, there are several factors that affect your metabolism, such as the amount of lean muscle tissue you have, the frequency of the meals you consume, good ol’ genetics, stress levels, personal diet and activity levels. On the other side of the coin, your metabolism can slow down due to many reasons, like age, a not-so-good diet, and a loss of muscle tissue because of inactivity.  This tendency of your body’s metabolism to decrease as you get older is just part of life, but there is a lot you can do to keep your metabolism at it’s most optimum level.

Here are 12 tips to fire up your metabolism:

1. Build up more lean muscle. It’s only natural that your metabolism decreases as you age, but it is possible to counter the effects. The amount of muscle you have will determine how your body burns calories and sheds fat.  This means that exercise is essential. Build up your strength and muscle mass by working out at least twice a week, preferably with weights, and stay active on your days off. Simple tasks such as walking the dog and using the stairs in place of the elevator can keep your metabolism elevated. The key is to match the amount you eat to the amount of activity you’re doing. Here are some guidelines to follow when you’re trying to build muscle:

For strength training and weight lifting:

-Make sure that your workout feels like, well, a workout.  If it’s easy, it probably won’t be enough stimulus to build muscle

-Add more weight/resistance as you progress

-Utilize advance exercise techniques if possible (superset/drop sets/compound sets/etc.)

For cardiovascular training

-Perform intervals between exercises

-Cross-training (doing different types of cardio activities) will challenge your body and require you to expend more energy (calories)

-Add resistance and speed as you progress

2. Eat breakfast. It may sound cliche, but breakfast really is the most important meal of the day and many people ignore this fact. Surprisingly, those that eat breakfast are leaner than those that don’t. Your metabolism can slow down considerably if breakfast is taken during the mid-morning or if you wait until the lunchtime to eat your first meal of the day.

3. Avoid sugar. Sugar puts your body in a fat storage mode due to the effects of insulin. It’s recommended that you consume food that will help sustain an even blood-sugar level, ideally foods that have a low number on the Glycemic Index.  Also, if you’re following the advice of #1, that will naturally  stabilize your blood sugar.

4. Eat spicy foods. Hot cuisine with peppers and spices can increase your metabolism.

5. Sleep more. According to research, people who don’t get enough sleep are more prone to gaining weight. You should be aiming to get between 7 and 8 hours of shut-eye each night.  You’ll be amazed at how powerful sleep is once you start getting your z’s every night.

6. Increase your water intake. Water flushes out toxins that are produced when your body burns fat. Most of your body’s functions involve or require water, and a lack of water can cause your metabolism to slow down significantly.  How much water a day?  Use the color of your urine as a gauge.  It should be a clear, light yellow color.  If you’re taking your vitamins, this will be waaay harder to gauge, so shoot for at least your weight in ounces of water.  So if you weigh 150 lbs., try and get 150 ounces of high quality H2O each day.

7. Eat smaller meals more frequently. Try and eat between 4 to 6 small meals that are timed 2 to 3 hours apart.  This will keep your metabolism from slowing down too much during the day and will give you more energy.

8. Never skip meals. Ok, I know, never is a harsh word.  But try and avoid missing meals as much as possible.  People tend to skip meals thinking this a good way to lose weight, but it’s a big mistake since this actually slows down metabolism.  Let’s say you’re eating 4 meals a day, 7 days a week, for a total of 28 meals a week.  I recommend that no more than 10%, or 3 meals, be cheat meals for that time frame.  And here’s the kicker with a missed meal…it counts as a cheat meal!  So if you miss 3 meals that week, you better make sure you’re other 25 meals are spot on (and you don’t get to splurge on any real cheat meals!)

9. Plan your meals in advance. Always prepare the right amount of food to be consumed at your designated intervals. Don’t commit the mistake of eating meals in random, sporadic patterns.  This will also keep you from eating out as much, and that alone will save you 100′s of calories each week.

10. Ditch the stress! Stress, be it physical or emotional, triggers the release of a hormone called cortisol, which decreases your metabolism. Also, people tend to eat poorly when stressed.  Do things that relax your mind and body.  Meditate, do some yoga or sing in the shower or whatever.  As long as you’re having fun, it’s just what you need to de-stress!

11. Chug some green tea. It’s the perfect substitute for coffee and has the ability to stimulate your metabolism, and unlike coffee, it has less undesirable side effects when too much is consumed.

Bonus Tip: Include more energy foods in the diet, such as fruits and vegetables, beans and whole grains.  You already knew this, but I thought I’d throw it in as a reminder.  Bonus!

Achieving the desired body weight is never impossible if you have the determination and patience to follow these 11 tips that will help raise your metabolism, have you dropping pounds of fat, and looking and feeling great.  You just need to realize that eating right and working out is not just a passing trend, but a way of life.

Cheers to your new life!

Jeff Lane

aka Dr Fitness!

Jeff is the CEO/President of a corporate fitness company in Orange County, Ca, OC Corporate Health (OCCH.) OCCH is dedicated to bringing health and fitness to companies that are looking to have a healthy and happy workforce.  OCCH does this by bringing Group Training, Nutritional Counseling, Health Education and Chair Massage into the workplace.

Recently, Jeff has started a fitness blog at http://www.DRFitnessnow.com which is a free resource on all things health, fitness and motivation.  Be sure to leave a comment if you stop by.

I Love Sugar! I Hate Sugar! I Love Sugar! I Hate Sugar! Aaaaah! Leave Me Alone Sugar!

This is not subliminal.

I have seen people in recovery speak of being powerless, and I WOULD LOVE to perform a study on Americans and sugar. Powerless probably doesn’t even describe our addiction to this white-yellow-brown lump of madness.

I feel it every time I bite into a Mile High Mud Pie, or when I have a piece of sweet tangy/sour candy in my pocket–it is powerlessness! I don’t care how full I am! My brain will send fake signals of hunger, and do everything but punch me in the face to get that sugary mess in my mouth.

I literally need a power greater than myself to overcome this issue, called sugar. It is to the point where I cannot have it in my house or around me.

I loath/love when people give me candy or sweets.

It is a love-hate that is soooo deep, I literally think and feel like they are playing with my emotions.

Truth is…they aren’t, but SUGAR IS playing with my emotions. The psycho-chemical reaction that I (and you and our nation) have associated with this drug, ahem, I mean food, called sugar has created a perfectly beautiful transmission of electricity and “feel-good” chemicals on one of my biggest super highway of neurons, that I am rendered all but hopeless when it is near. Sugar! Shame on you. Aaron! Shame on you. Lord help me…

Sugar is not a drug...I swear.

As you part read the lyrics from this 90′s band for its educational purpose, and leave me a comment whether you agree or not…maybe we can start a support group…

Presidents Of The United States Of America Candy lyrics

sugar’s only sweetness
salt is ocean tears
and you were my only weakness
for years and years and years
you little yellow sweetie
you were hiding in a jar
now my mind is gone completely
take off the lid and there you are
you’re my candy
candy
well the devil she made sweet candy
took 6 days and nights to dream
on the 7th day she rested
woke up early and made ice cream

Seriously...It isn't a drug.

now the devil she must be a dentist
with deep jawbreaker eyes
red rope hair gum drop lips

cotton candy thighs
you’re my candy
candy

chocolate lava stole my body
and aftertaste stole my mind
left me dangling down defenseless
and then sweet candy she said goodbye
now my teeth are worn and useless
my eyes too sunk to see
my tongue swole up to twice its size
and all i wanna do is eat
candy my candy
my candy my candy
suckin’ on my candy