How To Diet On Thanksgiving… Don’t!

The Thanksgiving holiday is a week out.   The diet experts are starting to rear their lollipop like heads, that sit atop their scrawny, stick bodies. They are preaching how we must diet through the holiday.  So these self-proclaimed experts will give us tips on how to stay on a diet.

A client me asked what I was going to eat on Thanksgiving.  I told her the same things she should — whatever I like.

I own the word diet. 

A diet is what we eat. 

Generally for me, that means a  paleolithic type, low carbohydrate, whole food diet.  Days that I don’t follow my usual diet I consider open eating days.

In my book, Obesity Undone, I have outlined what internet, low carb guru, Jimmy Moore coined,  ”planned splurges.”  These are days when you predetermine not to be strict. The holidays can, and in my opinion should, be planned splurges.

Partaking, one day, every few weeks is not going to sabotage all your hard work.  We are the master’s of our meals.  Being the masters, we must be disciplined and plan.  Not for the holiday — but the day after.

1- Get rid of leftovers that are not part of your regular diet. I understand that it is wasteful, but if you are a low carber like me, the potatoes, stuffing, pie and the like go in the trash, keep the turkey and vegetables.  If the bad stuff isn’t there, neither is the temptation.  If your family members aren’t watching what they eat and want the leftovers, have them take the food with them.  If they live with you? Tough, they don’t get them either, toss them in the trash!!!

2- Plan the next day’s meals and snacks ahead of time.  After a day of cooking, setting-up, feasting and cleaning, you many not be in the mood to prepare proper foods.  To alleviate this potential problem, have your foods  ready and in the fridge.

3- Weigh yourself the next day. Don’t get too hung up on the number because it will be up.  Yet, get on the scale.  The increased reading will keep you from making a one day splurge into a four to five day food fest.

4- Exercise.  I make sure to work out Thanksgiving morning before everyone gets up and then I make sure to exercise first thing Friday morning.  It is important to maintain our exercise routines. No excuses! No carbohydrate loaded laziness! Get off your butt and move.

Holidays are very food centric events.  The so-called experts will have you believe that you should not partake.  Here is the dirty little secret — you won’t be good.  Part of being human is enjoying food and company. In the U.S., this often goes hand in hand.  So, if you listen to the “experts”, when you overindulge, instead of  simply eating bad one day, you are now over-loaded with both food and bad feelings and next comes the emotional eating that usually accompanies guilt.

Remember, when you prepare ahead of time for the splurge and the day after, you will enjoy a guilt free holiday. 

Keep this one thought in mind:

It is not what you eat between Thanksgiving and Christmas that destroys your weight loss goals and fitness — It is what you eat between Christmas and Thanksgiving that does the damage.

Have a happy and enjoyable Thanksgiving.

——————————————————————————————————

Physical Culturist and Chiropractor, Dr. Joe Leonardi is the author of the life changing book, “Obesity Undone” and a contributor to NaturallySavvy.com. He is available to appear on any talk radio, internet podcast or television outlet. His web site www.ObesityUndone.com is available to help you reach your goals.

He has appeared on 94.3FM’s The David Maderia Show, Bounce Back to Your Brilliance w/Angel Tyree, What’s Weighing You Downw/Dr. Marilyn Gansel on FTNS radio, Nurture and Nutrition on Blog Talk Radio, Low Carb Conversations with Jimmy Moore and Friends, BlogTalk Radio’s Toni Harris Speaks, Internet Radio: Cathie’s Talking, TV -35′s Storm Politics with Tiffany Cloud, WILK’s The Sue Henry Show, Magic 93′s Frankie In The Morning, WBRE’s PA Live, SSPTV’s News 13, Public Television WVIA’s State of Pennsylvania and Call the Doctor; Entercom’s Outlook on Northeast PA with Shadoe Steele, Citadel Broadcasting’s Sunday Magazine with Brian Hughes, Lisa Davis’ Your Health Radio; Hank Garner’s Podcast, Dr. Robert Su’s Carbohydrates Can Kill Podcast; and the one and only Jimmy Moore’s Livin’ La Vida Low Carb podcast.
Dr. Joe Leonardi also will come and speak to your group; to learn more about his motivational speaking fees and availability contact him at docjoeleonardi@betterlifeseminars.com and check out his website www.betterlifeseminars.com.
———————————————————————————————————————
************The information in the videos is for information purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease or disorder. The posting that I write do not apply to those with an underlying medical or hormonal condition. I advise anyone embarking on a weight loss and fitness plan to have a thorough medical evaluation. You want to be sure that you are physically able to exercise and you don’t have any underlying medical conditions.************

Related articles

Post Holiday Motivation!

This morning I slowly got out of bed, the Thanksgiving day, carbohydrate induced, bloating and fatigue were difficult to shake.  I thought of getting back under the covers, but fortunately, I preplanned for my post glutenous grogginess; I printed a copy of the below column, which I had written three Thanksgivings ago.  One perusal of the column and a picture of Joe.340 were all I needed to shake the haze and get up and out of bed.  After a cup of nice hot coffee, I headed out the door and partook in my morning workout.  If you are needing a little post overindulgence inspiration, I invite you to read the following.. Joe

Inspiration 12/14/2008

By: Joe Leonardi

As I am writing this the Thanksgiving holiday has just passed, it is time to get back on the workout wagon. A day of gorging and feasting is followed by a return to the track to run and the gym to lift weights.

The heating rays of our star Sol barely warm the northeast from November to March, but today’s cloud cover made for a particularly dank, dreary, desolate day. So gray were the skies, that my usually high motivation to exercise was replaced by the blahs.

I completed my laps around the stadium oval and drove off to the second half of my daily, personal biathlon. I parked my car, hefted my bulk from the driver’s seat, opened the trunk and grabbed my gear. I slowly passed through the gym entrance and closed the door to the dismal day behind me. I peered down the hallway and fought the urge to turn on my heel and exit. Eventually, I plodded my way down what felt like an unending corridor. A stop at my locker to put my clothes away lasted longer than usual. Finally, I progressed to the weight room, trying to come up with any excuse not to.

I scanned around hoping that someone was using the leg press machine – no one was. I stared at the one hundred pound plates I would need to lug up and onto the machine and thought ‘maybe I’ll just use the forty-fives’. My mind and body were both in agreement, I was not in the mood, but I forced myself onward.

As I neared the equipment the sun caught my eye. It was not the center of our solar system, it was the rays emanating from a young girl pausing between sets of her routine. A broad smile dominated her face as she talked with her barking, bellicose personal trainer. She then turned her attention back to the cold, unyielding iron. A smile no longer was apparent, it was replaced by a look of ferocious intensity. It is a look I have seen before; in the eyes of the elite athletes I have trained with and treated over the years – it was the look of a champion.

Then I noticed something that should have been apparent, but I was so caught up in first her joy for what she was doing, then the intensity which she carried it out, I did not see that she was missing one arm and one leg. The inability to grip the bar with two hands did not deter this young person’s enthusiasm for her training. I smiled outwardly, but inwardly I was ashamed at my mental attempts to avoid exercise.

Inspiration is found in many forms, but on this day the ultimate inspiration was brought forth by another’s joy and passion; another’s delectation for an activity that I have had an on and off relationship with since my parents purchased my first barbell set from Sears. More inspirational though, was the way she was dealing with what was apparent adversity – seemingly, she was ignoring it.

Cover of Rocky

In the last Rocky movie, when junior was complaining about trying to live in his father’s large shadow, Stallone’s iconic character uttered the following statement. “The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done! Now if you know what you’re worth then go out and get what you’re worth. But ya gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain’t you!”

Sure it is a line from a movie, but the girl I watched today, she did not appear to cower. Now, I don’t know her story, I don’t know her name, I never saw her before today, I don’t know anything other than the following:

-There are many excuses not to do, but there are few legitimate reasons. Life is not fair, it is not easy and no matter what our problems are, whether they appear trivial or extreme, they need to be handled and life needs to be more than just lived.

-I was not the only one affected on this day. I chatted with another person who was equally inspired.

-Finally, the word “can’t” should be abolished from my vocabulary. When I don’t feel like going to the gym or going to the track or facing a difficult situation I will forever remember what I saw today and will know what can be accomplished

———————————————————————————————————————

Dr. Joe Leonardi is the author of the life changing book, A Life Beyond Weight Loss.  He is available to appear on any talk radio, internet podcasting or television outlet. He has appeared on Magic 93′s Frankie In The Morning, WBRE’s PA Live, SSPTV’s News 13, Public Television WVIA’s State of Pennsylvania and Call the Doctor; Entercom’s Outlook on Northeast PA with Shadoe Steele, Citadel Broadcasting’s Sunday Magazine with Brian Hughes, Lisa Davis’ Your Health Radio; Jimmy Moore’s Livin’ La Vida Low Carb podcast; Hank Garner’s Podcast, Dr. Robert Su’s Carbohydrates Can Kill Podcast.

Dr. Joe Leonardi also will come and speak to your group; to learn more about his motivational speaking fees and availability contact him at docjoeleonardi@betterlifeseminars.com and check out his web site www.betterlifeseminars.com.

—————————————————————————————————————

************The posting that I  write do not apply to those with an underlying medical or hormonal condition.  I advise anyone embarking on a weight loss and fitness plan to have a thorough medical evaluation. You want to be sure that you are physically able to exercise and you don’t have any underlying medical conditions.*************

.

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• Thanksgiving Dieting and Eating; What to do? My UNconventional Answer! (betterlifeseminars.wordpress.com)
• Don’t Blame Others. Take Control Of Yourself To Live A Better Life. (betterlifeseminars.wordpress.com)

Thanksgiving Eating; What to do? My UNconventional Answer!

Image via Wikipedia

The Thanksgiving holiday is about a week out.   The diet experts are starting to rear their lollipop like heads that sit atop their scrawny stick bodies preaching how we must diet through the holiday.  So these self-proclaimed experts will give you tips on how to stay on a diet.

A client me asked what I was going to eat on Thanksgiving.  I told her the same things she should —- whatever I like.  I rarely use the word diet.  I eat what I eat. Generally, that means a  paleolithic type, low carbohydrate whole food eating regime.  Days that I don’t follow my usual feeding habits I consider open eating days.

In my book, A life beyond weight loss, I have outlined what, internet, low carb guru, Jimmy Moore coined,  ”planned splurges.”  These are days when you predetermine not to be strict. The holidays can, and in my opinion should, be planned splurges.

Partaking, one day, every few weeks is not going to sabotage all your hard work.  We are the master’s of our meals.  Being the masters, we must be disciplined and plan.  Not for the holiday, but the day after.

1- Get rid of leftovers that are not part of your regular eating regiment. I know it is wasteful, but if you are a low carber like me, the potatoes, stuffing, pie and the like go in the trash, keep the turkey and vegetables.  If the bad stuff isn’t there, neither is the temptation.  If your family members aren’t watching what they eat and want the leftovers, have them take the food with them.  If they live with you? Tough, they don’t get them either, toss them in the trash!!!

2- Plan the next day’s meals and snacks ahead of time.  After a day of cooking, setting-up, feasting and cleaning, you many not be in the mood to prepare proper foods.  To alleviate this potential problem, have your foods  ready and in the fridge.

3- Weigh yourself the next day. Don’t get too hung up on the number because it will be up.  Yet, get on the scale.  The increased reading will keep you from making a one day splurge into a four to five day food fest.

4- Exercise.  I make sure to work out Thanksgiving morning before everyone gets up and then I make sure to exercise first thing Friday morning.  It is important to maintain our exercise routines. No excuses! No carbohydrate loaded laziness! Get off your butt and move.

Holidays are very food centric events.  The so-called experts will have you believe that you should not partake.  Here is the dirty little secret, you won’t be good.  Part of being human is enjoying food and company. In the U.S. this often goes hand in hand.  So, if you listen to the “experts”, when you overindulge, instead of  simply eating bad one day, you are now over-loaded with both food and bad feelings and next comes the emotional eating that usually accompanies guilt.

Remember, when you prepare ahead of time for the splurge and the day after, you will enjoy a guilt free holiday. 

Keep this one thought in mind:

It is not what you eat between Thanksgiving and Christmas that destroys your weight loss goals and fitness—

It is what you eat between Christmas and Thanksgiving that does the damage.

Have a happy and enjoyable Thanksgiving.

———————————————————————————————————————

Dr. Joe Leonardi is the author of the life changing book, A Life Beyond Weight Loss.  He is available to appear on any talk radio, internet podcasting or television outlet. He has appeared on Magic 93′s Frankie In The Morning, WBRE’s PA Live, SSPTV’s News 13, Public Television WVIA’s State of Pennsylvania and Call the Doctor; Entercom’s Outlook on Northeast PA with Shadoe Steele, Citadel Broadcasting’s Sunday Magazine with Brian Hughes, Lisa Davis’ Your Health Radio; Jimmy Moore’s Livin’ La Vida Low Carb podcast; Hank Garner’s Podcast, Dr. Robert Su’s Carbohydrates Can Kill Podcast.

Dr. Joe Leonardi also will come and speak to your group; to learn more about his motivational speaking fees and availability contact him at docjoeleonardi@betterlifeseminars.com and check out his web site www.betterlifeseminars.com.

—————————————————————————————————————

************The posting that I  write do not apply to those with an underlying medical or hormonal condition.  I advise anyone embarking on a weight loss and fitness plan to have a thorough medical evaluation. You want to be sure that you are physically able to exercise and you don’t have any underlying medical conditions.*************

Inspiration Revisited

I wrote the below column a little more than two years ago.  I still receive comments about it, so I thought I would re-post it here, as a way to kick off the beginning of my 48th year on planet Earth — I absolutely  love getting older.  There are aspects of my life that could be better, and some that could be much worse.  Most importantly, I have a great family, relationship,  I am in good physical health and I am very fit,  but I do have 2 minor complaints; reading glasses and nose hair. So, in the grand scheme things are going well. However, if you are ever feeling down and out about reaching your fitness goals, please read the following.  Joe

Inspiration

By: Joe Leonardi

As I am writing this the Thanksgiving holiday has just passed, it is time to get back on the workout wagon. A day of gorging and feasting is followed by a return to the track to run and the gym to lift weights.

The heating rays of our star Sol barely warm the northeast from November to March, but today’s cloud cover made for a particularly dank, dreary, desolate day. So gray were the skies that my usually high motivation to exercise was replaced by the blahs.

I completed my laps around the stadium oval and drove off to the second half of my daily, personal biathlon. I parked my car, hefted my bulk from the driver’s seat, opened the trunk and grabbed my gear. I slowly passed through the gym entrance closing the door to the dismal day behind me. I peered down the hallway and fought the urge to turn on my heel and exit. Eventually, I plodded my way down what felt like an unending corridor. A stop at my locker to put my clothes away lasted longer than usual. I finally progressed to the weight room trying to come up with any excuse not to.

I scanned around hoping that someone was using the leg press machine – no one was. I stared at the one hundred pound plates I would need to lug up and onto the machine and thought ‘maybe I’ll just use the forty-fives’. My mind and body were both in agreement, I was not in the mood, but I forced myself onward.

As I neared the equipment the sun caught my eye. It was not the center of our solar system, it was the rays emanating from a young girl pausing between sets of her routine. A broad smile dominated her face as she talked with her barking, bellicose personal trainer. She then turned her attention back to the cold, unyielding iron. A smile no longer was apparent, it was replaced by a look of ferocious intensity. It is a look I have seen before; in the eyes of the elite athletes I have trained with and treated over the years – it was the look of a champion.

Then I noticed something that should have been apparent, but I was so caught up in first her joy for what she was doing, then the intensity which she carried it out, I did not see that she was missing one arm and one leg. The inability to grip the bar with two hands did not deter this young person’s enthusiasm for her training. I smiled outwardly, but inwardly I was ashamed at my mental attempts to avoid exercise.

Inspiration is found in many forms, but on this day the ultimate inspiration was brought forth by another’s joy and passion; another’s delectation for an activity that I have had an on and off relationship with since my parents purchased my first barbell set from Sears when I was twelve years old. More inspirational though, was the way she was dealing with what was apparent adversity – seemingly she was ignoring it.

Cover of Rocky

In the last Rocky movie, when junior was complaining about trying to live in his father’s large shadow, Stallone’s iconic character uttered the following statement. “The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done! Now if you know what you’re worth then go out and get what you’re worth. But ya gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain’t you!”

Sure it is a line from a movie, but the girl I watched today, she did not appear to cower. Now, I don’t know her story, I don’t know her name, I never saw her before today, I don’t know anything other than the following:

There are many excuses not to do, but there are few legitimate reasons. Life is not fair, it is not easy and no matter what our problems are, whether they appear trivial or extreme, they need to be handled and life needs to be more than just lived.

I was not the only one affected on this day. I chatted with another person who was equally inspired.

Finally, the word “can’t” should be abolished from my vocabulary. When I don’t feel like going to the gym or going to the track or facing a difficult situation I will forever remember what I saw today and will know what can be accomplished.

——————————————————————————————————

Physical Culturist and Chiropractor, Dr. Joe Leonardi is the author of the life changing book, “Obesity Undone” and a contributor to NaturallySavvy.com. He is available to appear on any talk radio, internet podcast or television outlet. His web site www.ObesityUndone.com is available to help you reach your goals.

He has appeared on 94.3FM’s The David Maderia Show, Bounce Back to Your Brilliance w/Angel Tyree, What’s Weighing You Downw/Dr. Marilyn Gansel on FTNS radio, Nurture and Nutrition on Blog Talk Radio, Low Carb Conversations with Jimmy Moore and Friends, BlogTalk Radio’s Toni Harris Speaks, Internet Radio: Cathie’s Talking, TV -35′s Storm Politics with Tiffany Cloud, WILK’s The Sue Henry Show, Magic 93′s Frankie In The Morning, WBRE’s PA Live, SSPTV’s News 13, Public Television WVIA’s State of Pennsylvania and Call the Doctor; Entercom’s Outlook on Northeast PA with Shadoe Steele, Citadel Broadcasting’s Sunday Magazine with Brian Hughes, Lisa Davis’ Your Health Radio; Hank Garner’s Podcast, Dr. Robert Su’s Carbohydrates Can Kill Podcast; and the one and only Jimmy Moore’s Livin’ La Vida Low Carb podcast.
Dr. Joe Leonardi also will come and speak to your group; to learn more about his motivational speaking fees and availability contact him at docjoeleonardi@betterlifeseminars.com and check out his website www.betterlifeseminars.com.
———————————————————————————————————————
************The information in the videos is for information purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease or disorder. The posting that I write do not apply to those with an underlying medical or hormonal condition. I advise anyone embarking on a weight loss and fitness plan to have a thorough medical evaluation. You want to be sure that you are physically able to exercise and you don’t have any underlying medical conditions.************

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Why Weight Loss Surgery?

On Facebook I noticed one of by friends’ post a picture of a huge burger, covered in cheese and wrapped in lettuce in lieu of a bun.  I thought for sure this was a fellow low carber, but it was someone who had a type of weight loss surgery.  I was confounded.  Why the surgery?  I could eat this way every day and lose weight and remain fit.

Why allow a surgeon to unnecessarily compromise your body?

Why take the risks associated with any surgery?

Why do any of it when getting fit is easy?

Back in 2005 my life seemed to be on a great track.  I had a good marriage, my business was successful and I had announced my intent to run for Congress.  The only drawback was that I was carrying around too much weight.  So,  I resumed my low carb eating, started working out and was going to get back in shape. Then in August of that year something happened to change everything — it was a day that changed my life. My then wife and I were eating out and I began to choke on my food.  In a panic, I ran outside to the parking lot desperately attempting to dislodge the the chunk of meat stuck in my throat.   Eventually the food broke free and I was fine.

For several days I was cautious about eating anything too solid.   Eventually I tried to eat again and there was a sensation that something was stuck in my throat.  This occurred several times before I decided to get checked out.  I went to an ear, nose and throat doctor close to my office and he diagnosed me with acid reflux.

Acid reflux?  I wasn’t too sure.  I didn’t have any signs or symptoms, but he assured me because he saw redness in my throat. He put me on the little purple pill.

For the next few weeks my condition continued to worsen, to the point that I couldn’t eat anything other than ice cream.  Not exactly low carb, but it was really the closest thing to solid food I could eat without experiencing a choking sensation.

I returned to the E.N.T several times and was given the run around.  I guess because I was concerned about my health, I believe I was labeled a problem patient.  I later found out it was that they thought the problem was in my head.  They eventually had a gastroenterologist consult and did an upper endoscopy.    The upper endoscopy did NOT show any signs of acid reflux.  I had a copy of the report sent to my office and the G.I. doctor basically stated that my problem was in my head.

I was infuriated.  This had been going on for months.  I was  not improving and much in my life was beginning to suffer.  I took matters into my own hands and ordered a scan of my throat and did a blood work including an IG profile.   Sure enough there was an abnormality.  I had unilateral tonsillitis secondary to mononucleosis.  The opening in my throat was reduced to seven (7)  millimeters.

The cause was found.  You would think that would be the end of the story.

I went to Philadelphia because the presentation indicated a small chance of cancer.  I had the surgery the week before Thanksgiving and I was on the mend.  Then on Thanksgiving morning I had a small bleed.  I had it checked and all seemed okay.  Yet, three weeks after surgery I was still unable to eat.  Another issue was that I had been consistently running a 102 degree fever.  I had it under control and I informed my doctor by phone and he said it probably wasn’t anything to worry about.  I went back to the Philadelphia and the E.N.T. doctor stated that all was good and the full throat feeling was in my head. I asked him about the fever that was still present.  Even though he did NOT take my temperature, he told me he believed it was psychosomatic.

I was so tired and malnourished at that point that I listened to what I was told and made an appointment with the trauma Psychiatrist who diagnosed me with, are you ready for this one —- post traumatic stress disorder.  I was put on a combination of Paxil and Xanax.  At this point there was conflict in my marriage and my business was beginning to fall apart;  a situation which, to this day, has not recovered.

After about a month on this concoction of psycho-pharmaceuticals  I was no better off.  Finally, I had enough.  I stopped the medications and ordered another scan of my throat.  The good news was that I now had thirty one  (31) millimeter opening.  The bad news; my swollen, inflamed and enlarged uvula was hanging all the way down to my larynx giving the sensation that I was choking.  My friend took my temperature and you guessed it — 102.  He looked in my throat and noted the redness and swelling.  He asked me how long I had the fever.  I told him since Thanksgiving, it was now February.  He told me I had sepsis and his next words I will never forget, Joseph, why aren’t you dead?

He made sure I got appropriate care and within a week I was back to eating normal foods.  Unfortunately, these events were the precipitating factor in a downward spiral.  I was unable to raise any significant money for my campaign and the money I had set aside was being eaten up keeping my practice afloat.  Not being a quitter I hung in the race but that meant reduced focus on my business.  I was wracked with anger and anxiety, so much so that eventually my marriage fell apart.

My life had spiraled out of control and I turned to food for comfort and insulation.  I cared for little more than taking care of my patients and eating and eating and eating.  One day in March 2008, I took stock in what I had allowed to happen to my person.  I stopped the excuses and took a good hard look at myself.

I was obese, slovenly and out of shape.  I had fought so hard not to die from what had happened, that I had begun to slowly kill myself with food and inactivity.

All of this stemmed from a medical chain of  errors, culminating with a post-op infection, from what is regarded as a relatively minor surgical procedure.  Why would anyone willingly put themselves through a procedure with much greater risk, potential life altering side effects and after going through all that, still has a rate of recidivism?

Take control of you own personal life.  You can control what you eat.  You can control how much exercise you get.  The benefits of discipline and self-control far outweigh the risks of surgical procedures.

You can do it; the first step is to believe that you can!

———————————————————————————————————————

Dr. Joe Leonardi is the author of the life changing book; Fat Then Fit Now;  A life beyond wight loss.

———————————————————————————————————————

Related Articles

• Why Weight Loss Surgery? (fatthenfitnow.wordpress.com)

Inspiration

I wrote the below column two years ago.  I still receive comments about it so I thought I would re-post it here as a way to kick of the New Year.

Inspiration

By: Joe Leonardi

As I am writing this the Thanksgiving holiday has just passed, it is time to get back on the workout wagon. A day of gorging and feasting is followed by a return to the track to run and the gym to lift weights.

The heating rays of our star Sol barely warm the northeast from November to March, but today’s cloud cover made for a particularly dank, dreary, desolate day. So gray were the skies that my usually high motivation to exercise was replaced by the blahs.

I completed my laps around the stadium oval and drove off to the second half of my daily, personal biathlon. I parked my car, hefted my bulk from the driver’s seat, opened the trunk and grabbed my gear. I slowly passed through the gym entrance closing the door to the dismal day behind me. I peered down the hallway and fought the urge to turn on my heel and exit. Eventually, I plodded my way down what felt like an unending corridor. A stop at my locker to put my clothes away lasted longer than usual. I finally progressed to the weight room trying to come up with any excuse not to.

Using the diagonal sled-type leg press machine. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I scanned around hoping that someone was using the leg press machine – no one was. I stared at the one hundred pound plates I would need to lug up and onto the machine and thought ‘maybe I’ll just use the forty-fives’. My mind and body were both in agreement, I was not in the mood, but I forced myself onward.

As I neared the equipment the sun caught my eye. It was not the center of our solar system, it was the rays emanating from a young girl pausing between sets of her routine. A broad smile dominated her face as she talked with her barking, bellicose personal trainer. She then turned her attention back to the cold, unyielding iron. A smile no longer was apparent, it was replaced by a look of ferocious intensity. It is a look I have seen before; in the eyes of the elite athletes I have trained with and treated over the years – it was the look of a champion.

Then I noticed something that should have been apparent, but I was so caught up in first her joy for what she was doing, then the intensity which she carried it out, I did not see that she was missing one arm and one leg. The inability to grip the bar with two hands did not deter this young person’s enthusiasm for her training. I smiled outwardly, but inwardly I was ashamed at my mental attempts to avoid exercise.

Inspiration is found in many forms, but on this day the ultimate inspiration was brought forth by another’s joy and passion; another’s delectation for an activity that I have had an on and off relationship with since my parents purchased my first barbell set from Sears when I was twelve years old. More inspirational though, was the way she was dealing with what was apparent adversity – seemingly she was ignoring it.

Cover of Rocky

In the last Rocky movie, when junior was complaining about trying to live in his father’s large shadow, Stallone’s iconic character uttered the following statement. “The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done! Now if you know what you’re worth then go out and get what you’re worth. But ya gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain’t you!”

Sure it is a line from a movie, but the girl I watched today, she did not appear to cower. Now, I don’t know her story, I don’t know her name, I never saw her before today, I don’t know anything other than the following:

There are many excuses not to do, but there are few legitimate reasons. Life is not fair, it is not easy and no matter what our problems are, whether they appear trivial or extreme, they need to be handled and life needs to be more than just lived.

I was not the only one affected on this day. I chatted with another person who was equally inspired.

Finally, the word “can’t” should be abolished from my vocabulary. When I don’t feel like going to the gym or going to the track or facing a difficult situation I will forever remember what I saw today and will know what can be accomplished.

——————————————————————————————————

Physical Culturist and Chiropractor, Dr. Joe Leonardi is the author of the life changing book, “Obesity Undone” and a contributor to NaturallySavvy.com. He is available to appear on any talk radio, internet podcast or television outlet. His web site www.ObesityUndone.com is available to help you reach your goals.

He has appeared on 94.3FM’s The David Maderia Show, Bounce Back to Your Brilliance w/Angel Tyree, What’s Weighing You Downw/Dr. Marilyn Gansel on FTNS radio, Nurture and Nutrition on Blog Talk Radio, Low Carb Conversations with Jimmy Moore and Friends, BlogTalk Radio’s Toni Harris Speaks, Internet Radio: Cathie’s Talking, TV -35′s Storm Politics with Tiffany Cloud, WILK’s The Sue Henry Show, Magic 93′s Frankie In The Morning, WBRE’s PA Live, SSPTV’s News 13, Public Television WVIA’s State of Pennsylvania and Call the Doctor; Entercom’s Outlook on Northeast PA with Shadoe Steele, Citadel Broadcasting’s Sunday Magazine with Brian Hughes, Lisa Davis’ Your Health Radio; Hank Garner’s Podcast, Dr. Robert Su’s Carbohydrates Can Kill Podcast; and the one and only Jimmy Moore’s Livin’ La Vida Low Carb podcast.
Dr. Joe Leonardi also will come and speak to your group; to learn more about his motivational speaking fees and availability contact him at docjoeleonardi@betterlifeseminars.com and check out his website www.betterlifeseminars.com.
———————————————————————————————————————
************The information  is for information purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease or disorder. The posting that I write do not apply to those with an underlying medical or hormonal condition. I advise anyone embarking on a weight loss and fitness plan to have a thorough medical evaluation. You want to be sure that you are physically able to exercise and you don’t have any underlying medical conditions.************

 

 

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Inspiration

When it comes to body re-modeling there are many who say, “I can’t.”  I say balderdash…  Below is a column that I authored for the Pittston Sunday Dispatch.  If you feel you can’t, read on. If you feel you can —- read on anyway.

Joe

As I am writing this the Thanksgiving holiday has just passed, it is time to get back on the workout wagon. A day of gorging and feasting is followed by a return to the track to run and the gym to lift weights.

The heating rays of our star Sol barely warm the northeast from November to March, but today’s cloud cover made for a particularly dank, dreary, desolate day. So gray were the skies that my usually high motivation to exercise was replaced by the blahs.

I completed my laps around the stadium oval and drove off to the second half of my daily, personal biathlon. I parked my car, hefted my bulk from the driver’s seat, opened the trunk and grabbed my gear. I slowly passed through the gym entrance closing the door to the dismal day behind me. I peered down the hallway and fought the urge to turn on my heel and exit. Eventually, I plodded my way down what felt like an unending corridor. A stop at my locker to put my clothes away lasted longer than usual. I finally progressed to the weight room trying to come up with any excuse not to.

Image via Wikipedia

I scanned around hoping that someone was using the leg press machine – no one was. I stared at the one hundred pound plates I would need to lug up and onto the machine and thought ‘maybe I’ll just use the forty-fives’. My mind and body were both in agreement, I was not in the mood, but I forced myself onward.

As I neared the equipment the sun caught my eye. It was not the center of our solar system, it was the rays emanating from a young girl pausing between sets of her routine. A broad smile dominated her face as she talked with her barking, bellicose personal trainer. She then turned her attention back to the cold, unyielding iron. A smile no longer was apparent, it was replaced by a look of ferocious intensity. It is a look I have seen before; in the eyes of the elite athletes I have trained with and treated over the years – it was the look of a champion.

Then I noticed something that should have been apparent, but I was so caught up in first her joy for what she was doing, then the intensity which she carried it out, I did not see that she was missing one arm and one leg. The inability to grip the bar with two hands did not deter this young person’s enthusiasm for her training. I smiled outwardly, but inwardly I was ashamed at my mental attempts to avoid exercise.

Inspiration is found in many forms, but on this day the ultimate inspiration was brought forth by another’s joy and passion; another’s delectation for an activity that I have had an on and off relationship with since my parents purchased my first barbell set from Sears when I was twelve years old. More inspirational though, was the way she was dealing with what was apparent adversity – seemingly she was ignoring it.

Image via Wikipedia

In the last Rocky movie, when junior was complaining about trying to live in his father’s large shadow, Stallone’s iconic character uttered the following statement. “The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done! Now if you know what you’re worth then go out and get what you’re worth. But ya gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain’t you!”

Sure it is a line from a movie, but the girl I watched today, she did not appear to cower. Now, I don’t know her story, I don’t know her name, I never saw her before today, I don’t know anything other than the following:

There are many excuses not to do, but there are few legitimate reasons. Life is not fair, it is not easy and no matter what our problems are, whether they appear trivial or extreme, they need to be handled and life needs to be more than just lived.

I was not the only one affected on this day. I chatted with another person who was equally inspired.

Finally, the word “can’t” will be abolished from my vocabulary. When I don’t feel like going to the gym or going to the track or facing a difficult situation I will forever remember what I saw today and will know what can be accomplished.

 

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Low Carb Thanksgiving or Planned Splurge

{What I am about to write does not apply to those with an underlying medical or hormonal condition. I advise anyone embarking on a weight loss and fitness plan to have a thorough medical evaluation. You want to be sure that you are physically able to exercise and you don’t have any underlying medical conditions.}

Image via Wikipedia

The Thanksgiving holiday is upon us.  The diet experts will have been all over the place, having reared their lollipop like  heads, sitting atop their scrawny stick bodies, telling us how to diet through the holiday.

A client me asked what I was going to eat on Thanksgiving.  I told her the same things she should —- whatever I like.  I rarely use the word diet.  I eat what I eat. Generally, that means low carbohydrate and as many whole foods as possible.  Days that I don’t follow my usual feeding habits I consider open eating days.

In my book, Fat Then Fit Now; A life beyond weight loss, I have outlined what, internet, low carb guru, Jimmy Moore coined,  ”planned splurges.”  These are days when you predetermine to not be strict. The holidays can, and in my opinion should, be planned splurges.

Partaking, one day, every few weeks is not going to sabotage all your hard work.  We are the master’s of our meals.  Being the masters, we must be disciplined and plan.  Not for the holiday, but the day after.

1- Get rid of leftovers that are not part of your regular eating regiment. I know it is wasteful, but if you are a low carber like me, the potatoes, stuffing, pie and the like go in the trash.  If the bad stuff isn’t there, neither is the temptation.  If your family members aren’t watching what they eat and want the leftovers, have them take the food with them.  If they live with you? Tough, they don’t get them either, toss them in the trash!!!

2- Plan the next day’s meals and snacks ahead of time.  After a day of cooking, setting-up, feasting and cleaning, you many not be in the mood to prepare proper foods.  To alleviate this potential problem, have your foods  ready and in the fridge.

3- Weigh yourself the next day. Don’t get too hung up on the number because it will be up.  Yet, get on the scale.  The increased reading will keep you from making a one day splurge into a four-day food fest.

4- Exercise.  I make sure to work out Thanksgiving morning before everyone gets up and then I make sure to exercise first thing Friday morning.  It is important to maintain our exercise routine. No excuses! No carbohydrate loaded laziness! Get off your butt and move.

Holidays are very food centric events.  The so-called experts will have you believe that you should not partake.  Here is the dirty little secret, you won’t be good.  Part of being human is enjoying food and company. In the U.S. this often goes hand in hand.  So, if you listen to the “experts”, when you overindulge, instead of  simply eating bad one day, you are now over-loaded with both food and guilt.

Remember, when you prepare ahead of time for the splurge and the day after, you will enjoy a guilt free holiday and most importantly, still get to shout; I was FAT THEN but I am FIT NOW.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Chiropractor, Doc Joe Leonardi

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Podcast #16 Thanksgiving, No Diet Day

In this podcast we will discuss how to eat properly on the Thanksgiving holiday.  You may be surprised.

Please click the below link to listen:

Podcast #16 Thanksgiving Eating

Do I diet on Thanksgiving? — HELL NO!!!!

{What I am about to write does not apply to those with an underlying medical or hormonal condition. I advise anyone embarking on a weight loss andfitness plan to have a thorough medical evaluation. You want to be sure that you are physically able to exercise and you don’t have any underlying medical conditions.}

Image via Wikipedia

The Thanksgiving holiday is just over one week away. The diet experts will begin to rear their lollipop heads, sitting atop their scrawny stick bodies, telling us how to diet through the holiday.

A client me asked what I was going to eat on Thanksgiving.  I told her, the same things she should —- whatever I like.  I rarely use the word diet.  I eat what I eat. Generally, that means low carbohydrate and as many whole foods as possible.  Days that I don’t follow my usual feeding habits I consider open eating days.

In my book, Fat Then Fit Now; A life beyond weight loss, I have outlined what Jimmy Moore coined,  ”planned splurges.”  These are days that you predetermine to not be strict.  I make the holidays planned splurges.

Partaking, one day, every few weeks is not going to sabotage all your hard work.  We are the master’s of our meals.  Being the masters, we must be disciplined and plan.  Not for the holiday, but the day after.

1- Get rid of left-overs that are not part of your regular eating regiment. I know it is wasteful, but if you are a low carber like me, the potatoes, stuffing, pie and the like go in the trash.  If the bad stuff isn’t there, neither is the temptation.  If your family members aren’t watching what they eat and want the left overs, have them take the food with them.  If they live with you? Tough, they don’t get them either, toss them in the trash!!!

2- Plan the next days meals and snacks ahead of time. After a day of cooking, setting-up, feasting and cleaning, you many not be in the mood to prepare proper foods.  To alleviate this potential problem, have your foods  ready and in the fridge.

3- Weigh yourself the next day. Don’t get too hung up on the number because it will be up.  Yet, get on the scale.  The increased reading will keep you from making a one day splurge into a four-day food fest.

Image via Wikipedia

4. Exercise.  I make sure to work out Thanksgiving morning before everyone gets up and then I make sure to exercise first thing Friday morning.  It is important to maintain our exercise routine. No excuses! No carbohydrate loaded laziness! Get off your butt and move.

Holidays are very food centric events.  The so-called experts will have you believe that you should not partake.  Here is the dirty little secret, you won’t be good.  Part of being human is enjoying food and company. In the U.S. this often goes hand in hand.  So, when you over-indulge, instead of  simply eating bad one day, you are now over-loaded with both food and guilt.

Remember, when you prepare ahead of time for the splurge and the day after, you will enjoy a guilt free holiday and most importantly, still get to shout; I was FAT THEN but I am FIT NOW.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Chiropractor, Doc Joe Leonardi