The Grave Yard Shift

Yesterday, a long time friend of mine gave birth to a beautiful and healthy boy. I know there are billions of people on this Earth but I am still amazed at how women push those things out. In like a banana, and out like a pineapple….ouch and ouch!! Naturally my home girl was in the worst pain in her life and she was hungry azz hell, so she relied on that good ol Irish restaurant for some cuisine, McDonald’s. (Side bar yes I said to myself, “Oh God not Mickey D’s!!” but after seeing what she went through she deserved those french fries).

Anywho, it was a little after 10pm and I was worn out, hungry, and I wanted my bed ASAP!!! I could only imagine how my girlfriend felt but then I glanced at the nurses and I said to myself, “Ummm how in the hell do they do this for a living?!?!?” Almost everyone on staff looked tired and just worn down, not to mention they were all overweight. When I left, I walked passed the nurses station and overheard them ordering food and none of it was healthy. I couldn’t help but think to myself, "well there lies the source of the problem".

Working the late shift is unhealthy on so many levels. First off, the longer you are up the more you are going to eat. Secondly, if you are up late at night you will rely on the quick food sources to quell your hunger pains (vending machines, diners, pizza parlors, omg I am having flashbacks from college Poppa John’s bread sticks with garlic sauce…yummy!!!!) You get my drift, you are not eating salads! Lastly, you really are not motivated to workout. You are drained as all hell and not to mention when you get off of work it’s hard to go to sleep because your body is not used to that sleeping pattern or you have errands to run (taking the kids to school). A simple solution would be to change shifts, but that is not reasonable, but if you have a good game plan anything is possible, and here are a couple of tips:

First of all go food shopping!! You are just going to have to pick a day out of the week or every other week and go to the grocery store. Secondly once you get the food put it into a thermo container so it will keep your food at an ideal temperature (see an example here). In order to get your burn on at anytime of the day, why not join a 24 hour gym so you have no reason not go? On the days you have off from work, make it to the gym and push yourself to go at least one day out of the week that you do work (that way you workout at least 3 days a week).

I know that it's hard, but YOU ARE WORTH IT to make any and all sacrifices in order to better yourself, and of course with no excuses and definitely No Apologies!

Spring Is Here...

Hi all,

It’s almost May and pretty soon 80 degree plus days will be the norm. So that means no more hiding underneath your clothes . As usual there will be a mad dash to gym and people will start trying all of the fad diets (cabbage soup, 3 day diet, atkins, south beach).

Before you get caught up in the hype it is important to pace yourself. I hate to say this to the “hit and quit it” generation but the key to long and sustained weight loss takes time. Less than 5% of the people who use fad diets to jump start their weight loss efforts keep it off !!! Your best defense is to plan, plan, plan. Your biggest allay in the weight loss game is the grocery store. Once or every other week make a trip to the grocery store and prepare your lunch and work snacks the night before.

If your work life is not the typical 9 to 5 job, don’t fret. Here are few things you can do to beat the fat game. I'm sure you can put yourself into one of these categories, I know I can!

Truck Drivers, Auditors, Sales Man (or anyone who finds themselves on the road a lot):

If you have a job that puts you on the road a lot put all your meals in a Thermos container. I suggest the RubberMaid 5- Liter Thermoelectric Travel Cooler and Warmer.

It’s less than $35 and you can buy it at Walmart. Whether it’s a hot soup, sandwich, fruit, or a yummy chicken and veggies this container will keep your food at the desired temperature and it will always be handy.

Anyone who works more that 10+ hours a day: (This is so me)
If you find yourself at your job from sun up to sun down then you must pack all of your meals the night before. You can go to any store walmart, target, kmart and get a food bag. Pack of all your meals breakfast, snacks, lunch, snack, and dinner. If you are in meetings all day don’t bring coffee make a protein shake put it in a container and bring to the meeting with some unsalted nuts. If your team orders out and you run out of food order a salad with fat- free or light dressing (balsamic vinaigrette) with lean protein (chicken or fish).

My job is like college and socialization is the key:
If you find yourself at a restaurants or bars to stay in the “I’m a team player” game you can leave satisfied and not cheat on your diet. If you see something you like but it covered in fattening sauces,or is fried ask the waiter to make it dry and to grill it instead of frying. If you don’t see anything at all order salads with lean chicken, or steak. If you want to drink. Sip on red wine or any clear alcohol will do but watch out for that nasty wine headache and vodka hangover.

The bottom line is to stick to your guns and don’t allow yourself to get sucked into the fold. Don't allow yourself to have any excuses, and when you do stick to your guns, have No Apologies about it!

Until next time...