Excuses — You have them, I’ve heard them

Excuses — You have them, I’ve heard them

by: Joe Leonardi

Ten excuses I have heard in the last two weeks.

1 – I just can’t live without ice cream.

2 – I love pasta.

3 – I don’t have the time.

4 – I was going to, but then I got side tracked.

5 – I slept late.

6 – I am stressed out.

7 – I don’t have the will power.

8 – I eat out all the time.

9 – I can’t cook.

10- I WAS going to start on Monday.

Some excuses are from clients of YourNewPhysique.com, some from friends, some from people who have seen my web site and some from those who knew me in my obese days and tell me they have to get in shape, but just ______ fill in the excuse.

There are many excuses not to re-take control of one’s health, but there are few legitimate reasons. Yes, there are actually legitimate reasons, but that is not the topic of this column.

I have heard them all, here is a little secret; I have used them all. I am here to tell you that there is no reason to be obese. As I wrote in a previous column, obesity is not a complex issue. In the absence of a medical or hormonal condition, obesity is a choice. I know, I know the burning of me in effigy is commencing. I can hear the epithets being directed at me now.

Doc, how dare you say I choose to be this way!

How dare you say I want to look and feel like this!

Who do you think you are, do think that if I could, I would control myself?

How can I have the temerity to state that obesity is a choice? What gives me the authority to make such a claim?

That’s easy — I once weighed 340 ponderous, pachydermian pounds and had to squeeze into a tight fitting size 54 pants. I am confident I know a thing or two about becoming obese.

Recently, I have dropped well over one hundred pounds and transformed by rotund shape into a fit physique. So, I also know what it takes to drop the weight.

Jack Lalanne has said that exercise is the king and diet is the queen. How do you argue with a 95 year old person who is still full of vim and vigor?

I tell people to get their own new physique entails a complete commitment. There is even a formula. It is:

100% Exercise + 100%  Eating + 100% Energy

It is not difficult to get in shape, eat the correct foods and stay focused; it requires the three D’s:

Desire; Determination; Discipline

Many excuses such as time or eating out can be overcome with proper planning. I teach an eight o’clock class two days a week. Because I am in my office until seven in the evening, I work out first thing in the morning. Do you think I like setting the alarm for four a.m.? Do you think I am thrilled when it goes off? However, that is when I have the time and that is when I get up.

Throw out the excuses! Say no to obesity! Choose health and fitness!

As far as excuse number 10, the hell with Monday — Get with it!

Interesting!

This morning I only had a chance to skim this interesting article. Later this week I will read it in more detail and then, of course, write a commentary.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33336289/ns/politics-washington_post/

Very Interesting

I only had a chance to skim over the below article.  I will read it in detail and then comment on it later this week.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33336289/ns/politics-washington_post/

The death of clanging and banging iron?

I have been lifting weights on and off since I was 12 years old. I will never forget the day my Mom and Dad purchased my first weightlifting set from Sears. I hurriedly opened the box containing the 110 pounds of plastic covered cement and the iron barbell with the plastic sleeves. I was in heaven, it was that day I began pumping plastic. A few years later,  I graduated to a commercial gym and it was there that I discovered the meaning of the phrase, “pumping iron.”

To me there is nothing quite as exhilarating as the smell, the noise and the energy of a true weightlifting gym. The clanging and banging of the iron, the grunts and groans as men and women try to blast out those last few muscle building reps really brings me to life.

So what has brought me to the title of this column?

Well, I was finishing up the other morning, it was chest and back day and I was doing my last of 36 sets, super-setting decline flyes with dead-lifts. I only had about 225 on the bar, but as we all know the dead-lift is a brutal exercise, more so when done last and even more so when done in a superset fashion. Well I was brining iron  down to the floor with some good old fashion banging. The sound of the weights against the floor ramped my adrenaline causing a release of energy to explode me upright.  At the top position my dead stop caused the weights to shake and there was the clanging.  I was really  moving, up and down like a piston. After my last set I re-racked the weight. I was soaked in sweat and my grip was almost completely shot thus the bar slipped and the weights came crashing down onto the rack.

I stood up tall, full of self-pride because I just completed three  more reps than I did last workout. Then it happened — the  person next to me muttered under their breath, “Jesus Christ.”

I paused, unable to believe what I just heard. I thought to myself you have to be kidding. I wanted to shout “THIS IS A GYM!”  Of course my parents raised me with manners so I walked over and apologized. This person did not even acknowldege my apology, so I edged a little closer and said it a bit louder. Finally, the person relunctantly accepted.

I was so ticked off that to calm down I did six more sets, three more supersets of machine benches and bent over rows. I noticed the mutterer was talking to someone else and when I was done with my sixth set the person finally went and did another set. I wanted to yell again, “MAYBE IF YOU WOULD ACTUALLY WORK OUT YOU MIGHT LOOK A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN YOU DID A YEAR AGO!” But dam my parents raising me to be polite. I just stripped the bar, looked over and said, “good-bye.”

Honestly, is it just me? When I go to workout I am there to workout. I don’t sit around for 10 minutes between sets, I place a towel down on the benches; I take my sweat with me,  I allow people to work in, I always lift under control,  I rarely drop a weight, I respect the equipment, I strip every bar and every machine, I replace the weights back to the stacks, I put the dumbells back in their apporpriate place on the rack, I even put them in order if someone else didn’t.

So, am I out of line to workout so hard that iron weights make noise?

Am I incorrect to push a set to failure that on occasion the weight slips?

Is old school clanging and banging dead?   Say it ain’t so!

Obesity: A complex problem? I don’t think so!

Obesity: A complex problem? I don’t think so!

by: Joe Leonardi  

www.YourNewPhysique.com  

There has been much talk and debate about national health care. I am not going to discuss politics or the pros and cons of universal health care, that is in the control of the politicians.  

I am going to discuss one of the major risk factors to our health, one major risk that we, ourselves, can actually control — Obesity.  

I heard on the news that obesity  (I believe they stated specifically childhood obesity) was a complex problem that did not have a simple solution.  

Okay, let’s examine this ludicrous statement. Generally speaking, unless a person has an underlying medical or hormonal condition, there is no reason for one to be overweight or obese. I’m sorry to burst many people’s excuse-seeking bubbles — but that is a fact.  

We control our bodies.  

We control what goes in.  

We control the amount of exercise we put out.  

The problem is not complex: it is too much sugar, too much high fructose corn syrup, too much processed fast foods, not enough lean proteins, not enough fresh raw vegetables and not enough getting from behind the computer and moving.  

The solution itself is also simple: cut the sugar, cut out the  high fructose corn syrup, get rid of the highly processed refined garbage Americans are shoveling down their gullets and replace them with lean proteins, raw fresh vegetables, healthy fats, low glycemic fruits and get up and get moving.  

Today we have more obese people in the United States than those who are simply overweight.  

This is a real problem  

This problem will lead to real diseases.    

The morbidly obese are going to stress the U.S. health care system to a degree that not all the private or public health insurance money will be able to handle.    

A local school district was given a grant from the State Education Department to fight childhood obesity. I don’t know why they needed $5,000. I will tell them how to do it for half that. Has anyone ever seen school menus today? While healthy options are available, there is still plenty of sugar laden and processed junk on the menu.  
Side note: if your school still has soda machines — get ‘em out.  

Physical education must be a five day a week class and a regimented exercise program is a necessity. We need to teach children fitness as a lifestyle from their earliest and most formative years. I will even come in and design it.  

My good friend, the Yonk, at his highly influential blog The Lu Lac Political Letter, mentioned how a company had an incentive program for its employees. The employees were paid for taking steps to be responsible for their own wellness. Sounds like a good plan, but what passes for dietary guidelines and exercise plans really do very little  for the morbidly obese. Again, I will come in a design the program and then I will make sure people stick to it. If you want to pay people to take care of themselves okay, but give them the guidance and the accountability to stick to it.  

I remember when HMO’s and PPO’s first started in the mid 1980’s. One of the great parts about my plan was that my gym membership was paid in full by the health insurance company. I used that membership; however, I knew many who joined but then were out of the gym within a month. The result was that the good intentions of helping their insured get fit, ended up just costing the insurance company more money than it saved and they changed the benefit to a discount and then eventually did away with it.  

In the United States, we are focused on our healthcare crisis. We are trying to figure out how to pay for care. I am sure that there will be something in one form or another by the end of the year; however, we really need to stop focusing solely on the “care” part of  healthcare and start putting an emphasis on “health.”  Unless we act today, for some, tomorrow may be very bleak.  

Joe Leonardi  

I am  a chiropractor who shed 140 pounds, reshaped my body and recaptured my health in one year. Today I counsel many people on how to change their lives and conquer obesity.  I am available to speak to your group and can be reached at 718-1500.

 

Dr. Joseph F. Leonardi

Returning

Hi Everyone,

Beginning next week I will be posting about 1 – 2 times per week. Sorry I have been away, I have had a lot going on, but I can’t wait to get back to writing and helping those afflicted with obesity conquer it.

 

Joe Leonardi

Lazy Limbaugh

I just listened to the part of another Rush Limbaugh anti-exercise rant. So either he is  lazy, or just plain afraid of getting hurt. Either way his excuses are pretty lame, kind of like a toddler.

Exercise, done properly, utilizing correct technique, pre and post warm up and warm down and appropriate care of the occasional minor injury is not going to cause an noticeable increase in injury.

Being out of shape, old reclining Rush would be more apt to injure himself golfing. If he would condition himself the risk of injury from his only athletic endeavor would decrease.

I will update this more later, but if Rush would like, I would be more than happy to show him how to exercise and turn his less weighty, yet equally flabby body.

Joe Leonardi

Pants that fit snug in March of 2008

Found these pants behind the door in my office. They fit snug back in March of 2008!

My Odyssey from Fat Then to Fit Now…

Now, on May 25, 2009, a fit 200 pounds         Then, on March 1, 2008, a fat 300 pounds

My Odyssey from Fat Then to Fit Now…

by Dr. Joe Leonardi

Do you walk into a restaurant and look for a table because you can not fit in a booth?

Do you always take an elevator because even one flight of stairs leaves you exhausted and out of breath?

Is the simple act of tying your shoes a contortionistic maneuver?

A little over one year ago, my answers to the above questions would have been a resounding and embarrassing — yes!

I had finally tired of compromising my life, so on a fateful day in March of 2008, for the first time in two years, I hopped upon my dust covered scale. The spring moaned and groaned as the needle revolved past the end of its’ limit venturing into the “additional” numbers printed smaller and in red. The pointer bounced several times in a range of about ten pounds. I hoped it would stop at the lower end — it didn’t. I held my breath and peered down over the beach ball ballooning from my abdomen — I couldn’t quite see the rather large and over-sized dial. With a gale forced inhalation I sucked in my gut and strained once again to see the dreaded digits.

There it was, scales don’t lie, 3 4 0. That is not a typo, three hundred and forty ponderous, pachydermian pounds. In just over a pair of years I had added more than one hundred pounds to my previously well proportioned frame. I released my breath and heaved a heavy sigh. At least I could console myself with the ten pounds that clothing adds — never-mind; I was only wearing a pair of light cotton shorts.

Eventually, I stepped back. I paced the floor in stunned disbelieve. I knew I had gained weight, but there was no way I was over 300 pounds, let alone close to 350. Surely, after so long without use the scale must be out of calibration. That was the answer. I looked around and found a forty pound dumbell. I placed it upon the platform expecting the number to possibly reach 80. No such luck — the indicator stopped spot on at 40.

It was official — in medical terms I was morbidly obese. In layman’s terms, I was fat.

The initial step to overcoming many problems is to first admit you have a problem. Even with the numbers staring me in the face — I still wasn’t ready to admit it. Later that day I arrived at my practice and had my office manager, Linda, photograph me from the front and the side. I downloaded the pics to my PC and was prepared to see just a large, big-boned guy staring back at me — what I saw was anything but. Staring back was a pin sized head atop a rotund, pear shaped body.

I was ready to admit it — I had a problem.

When I arrived home, I dug deep into the closet and found my old clothes. On the bed I placed them side by side with my current wardrobe. It was eye opening. There is a stark contrast between a size 38 and a size 54 pants, between a size 56 and a size 46 sports coat, and you wouldn’t believe the difference in the lengths of the belts. I shook my head wondering how this could have happened. Oh yeah, then I remembered, plenty of burgers, fries, pizza and pasta, followed each night by two servings of ice cream — blasted Ben and Jerry for those single serving containers.

The next day I headed down to Danko’s and reactivated my long dormant membership. The owner, Larry Danko, cheerfully greeted me. I told him I had to get back in shape and with an optimistic and confident tone he told me, “You can do it.”

The date was March 5, 2008. Today as I write this, it is May 27, 2009 — a little more than one year has passed. This morning when I mounted the scale, there was no reason to suck in my gut, the dial didn’t even near the end of its limit, the springs didn’t make a sound and the needle stopped dead at 200, it has been there since March 7, 2009. I dressed for work, 36 pants and a 44 suit jacket. I fastened my tie and was pleased that the ski jump effect over my belly was gone.

It took just twelve short months, one single, solitary year, to reach my goal.

I have recaptured my physique, but more importantly, I have recaptured my wellness. Being a health care professional I am very aware of the potential damage I may have done to myself. However, I am blessed with being cared for by a cadre of skilled physicians. Dr. Sordoni, my general practitioner, has ensured my overall well being with complete and thorough exams. Dr. D’Alessandro, my cardiologist, has run me through ECG’s, EKG’s and a stress test encouraging me that my heart is okay. And Dr. Juan Gaia, of Valley Open MRI, read my coronary CT scan adding his reassurance that, at least for now, there are no apparent signs of damage.

I find it extremely difficult to swallow when overweight people tell me that they are happy the way they are; God knows I dropped that line myself enough times. It is impossible to be happy going through life struggling with simple, every day tasks. More importantly though, is that I have lessened my risk for obesity related maladies.

Obesity is a direct cause of some serious diseases; serious, PREVENTABLE, diseases. Obesity is not just a concern among adults. It is a growing, dare I use the word, epidemic concern with our youth. Type II diabetes, which is commonly referred to as adult onset diabetes, is showing up in children as young as ten years old. We have a grave public health problem, one that does not need to exist.

Utilizing what I like to call the three D’s; desire, determination and discipline, if you suffer from the ailment of obesity, you too can conquer it. I didn’t have surgery. I didn’t use any drugs. I changed my eating habits and I exercise seven days a week. It isn’t glamorous, it isn’t hip, what it “is” is just old school logic and self-control.

I was asked recently that if now that I lost the weight, I thought I was going to live longer. I pondered the question and paused before I spoke.

I said, “I honestly don’t know, however I do know one thing, I am living better.”

Joe Leonardi, D.C.

www.FatThenFitNow.com

www.DocLeonardi.com

When to rest?

Today is Saturday May 30th and I decided to take a day off from working out. Why? Yesterday I ran three miles, time was 3 minutes slower than normal.  I got to the gym and could barely move 240 pounds in the shoulder press.  I put down the weights, showered and headed out.  One important factor about fitness is listening to your body. So how do you know it is time for a rest?

- if you are feeling fine and try to talk yourself out of going to the gym; you are proably just being lazy.

- if you are feeling tired and worn out and you are trying to talk yourself into going to the gym; you might be a little over trained. Take a day or two off and go back in with a vengence!