Monthly Archives: December 2011

Closing Out The First Year Of BetterHealthJournal.com

Posted on December 31, 2011 by Steve

This is the 589th post that I have made to this blog in 2011.  (And, the blog was launched on January 8th 2011.) That works out to an average of 1.65 posts per day over the past year.  (That would have … Continue reading →

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L-Arginine

Posted on December 31, 2011 by Steve

I recently saw where Dr. Oz suggested taking this supplement (2 grams three times a day) to help offset the loss if HGH in our systems that occurs with aging. Here’s more on it from the Mayo Clinic – L-arginine … Continue reading →

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Making That Fitness Resolution Stick

Posted on December 31, 2011 by Steve

A nice summary from Matt Fitzgerald on six tips for making “Getting Fit” a lifestyle change - About half of those who start a new exercise program abandon it within three to six months. The reason is no mystery–people are lazy. It’s … Continue reading →

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Closing The Year On The Shelf

Posted on December 30, 2011 by Steve

The rib cage thing has now spread to my back.  I can’t even get out of a chair or turn while standing without screaming out in pain. I’m loading up on Naproxen Sodium and have covered the entire area with Zheng Gu … Continue reading →

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Did I Survive The Holiday Eating Gauntlet?

Posted on December 29, 2011 by Steve

A review of the past five days for me in terms of having to navigate food: Christmas Eve:  Family party at my house with a huge lunch/dinner and a table full of desserts. Christmas Day:  A repeat of the day before, … Continue reading →

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2011: A Good Workout Year With A Bummer Endnote

Posted on December 29, 2011 by Steve

I’m in a bad place right now. I did something to my left rib cage. I’m not sure when and how it started. I want to say it was at least a week ago where I felt like I tweaked/pulled/strained … Continue reading →

Posted in Anatomy, C25K, Cycle 1 – 2012, Cycle 3 - 2011, Dealing With Challenges, Exercise, Goals, Injuries, Running | Leave a comment

My Own Fitness Plan – Cycle 3 – Day 55

Posted on December 27, 2011 by Steve

I was really not in the mood to workout today.  But, I did it anyway – going to the gym before lunch and doing four sets each of the following: Cable Curls Hammer Strength Rows Life Fitness Pullovers Low Cable … Continue reading →

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My Own Fitness Plan – Cycle 3 – Day 54

Posted on December 26, 2011 by Steve

I went for a 4 mile run this morning after breakfast.  I wanted to try and do 4 1/2 miles today, for the first time ever; but, I punked out around the 2.7 mile mark.  I really felt like I … Continue reading →

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Holiday Eater’s Remorse

Posted on December 26, 2011 by Steve

The last two days have been rough. Both days, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, I started out well – eating my usual breakfast of oatmeal, fruit and a decaf tea. However, from there, I was completely off my normal routine. … Continue reading →

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It’s Never Too Late To Make A Change…

Posted on December 24, 2011 by Steve
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My Own Fitness Plan – Cycle 3 – Day 51

Posted on December 23, 2011 by Steve

I went for a 5K run at 9:45 AM this morning. The first three-quarter mile, for some reason, was rough.  I was really laboring.  But, I kept running and did the 3.1 miles in 25 minutes and 46 seconds.  It … Continue reading →

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The Scale Is Crazy

Posted on December 23, 2011 by Steve

Yup.  I jumped on the scale this morning and it read 172.5 pounds. Related, here is what the scale has told me, at the same time each morning, over the past few days: December 15th: 172.0 pounds December 20th: 175.0 … Continue reading →

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Fat Moms To Blame For Obesity Epidemic?

Posted on December 23, 2011 by Steve

Via the L.A. Times – After long days discussing America’s obesity problem, Melinda Sothern has had enough of windowless conference rooms. “I need to exercise,” she says, pausing to review her plans in the San Diego Convention Center lobby. She … Continue reading →

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Low Calcium & Obesity Link

Posted on December 23, 2011 by Steve

Very interesting news via the Vancouver Sun – Low calcium intake is a risk factor for continued obesity, but it can be addressed by boosting consumption of calcium or dairy, according to a Canadian study published recently in the Journal … Continue reading →

Posted in Dairy, Obesity Epidemic, Weight Loss Programs, Weight Watchers | Leave a comment

My Own Fitness Plan – Cycle 3 – Day 50

Posted on December 22, 2011 by Steve

Went to the gym after dinner tonight and did four sets each of the following: Tricep Rope Extension Bench Press Hammer Strength Incline Press Peck Deck Icarian Tricep Extension Seated Dumbbell Tricep Extension For some reason, I went heavy on … Continue reading →

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Scale Acceptance?

Posted on December 22, 2011 by Steve

Today, I got on the scale and it read 173.5 pounds.  That’s where I was five weeks ago too.  And, that’s pretty much where I have been for the last five months. Maybe I should just start getting used to … Continue reading →

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My Own Fitness Plan – Cycle 3 – Day 48

Posted on December 20, 2011 by Steve

I never made it to the gym last night.  Too cooked after a long day at work.  Almost didn’t make it this evening – but, I pushed myself and did four sets each of the following: Hammer Strength Shrugs Icarian … Continue reading →

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I eHat My Scale (Sometimes)

Posted on December 20, 2011 by Steve

Five days ago, I weighed 172 pounds.  This morning, when I jumped on the scale it read 175 pounds. How the heck does that happen? Is it a salt and water weight thing?  Was it something I did over this … Continue reading →

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My Own Fitness Plan – Cycle 3 – Day 46

Posted on December 18, 2011 by Steve

For the first time in my life, I did a 4 mile run today.  Having run a distance of 5K (3.1 miles) many times since last March, I wanted to try and go a bit further (for a change). It … Continue reading →

Posted in Cycle 3 - 2011, Feeling Fit, Longer Runs, Running | Leave a comment

Bacillus Coagulans

Posted on December 18, 2011 by Steve

I’ve been using LifeExtension Enhanced Super Digestive Enzymes longer than I can remember. And, until recently, these included a probiotic in the formula. I asked LifeExtension why they dropped the probiotic and was told “Due to licensing issues, we are … Continue reading →

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My Own Fitness Plan 2.0

Posted on December 17, 2011 by Steve

I’ve come up with a draft of that “new” seven week exercise cycle that I have been  considering.  Here it is: Wk Sun Mon Tues Wed Thur Fri Sat 1 Run C/B Mach Sh/Legs Off Bi/Tri Mach Run Off 2 … Continue reading →

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My Own Fitness Plan – Cycle 3 – Day 45

Posted on December 17, 2011 by Steve

I made it to the gym this afternoon after family plans and errands and did four sets each of the following: Standing Alternate Dumbbell Curls Tricep Rope Extension Icarian Camber Curl Life Fitness Tricep Pressdown Standing Preacher Curls Lying French Press … Continue reading →

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Weight Watchers & Exercise Better Than Exercise Alone

Posted on December 17, 2011 by Steve

Via the American Academy of Health and Fitness – The results of a new study, which evaluated the changes in cardiovascular fitness from a comprehensive weight-loss program compared to exercise alone, demonstrated a significant improvement in the group that participated … Continue reading →

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My Own Fitness Plan – Beyond Version 1.0

Posted on December 16, 2011 by Steve

Now that I am on my third cycle of Version 1.0 of My Own Fitness Plan, I am starting to think about a new plan – one that’s seven weeks per cycle instead of nine weeks per cycle. I’m thinking … Continue reading →

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My Own Fitness Plan – Cycle 3 – Day 44

Posted on December 16, 2011 by Steve

I did manage to get to the gym after work today. While there, I did four sets each of the following: Bench Press Hammer Strength Rows Peck Deck Low Cable Rows Hammer Strength Incline Press T-Bar Rows Ab Coaster Now, … Continue reading →

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