To Prevent Injuries —- FOCUS!

I am not an esoteric sort of person.  I don’t believe much in signs being sent my way; however after this week, I might have to rethink that attitude.

I have had three signs telling me that I need to write a posting concerning injury prevention.  I will be posting this to both my fitness/weight loss

An injury to one is an injury to all. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

blog and my chiropractic blog, because it has significance for both.

I’m not trying to sell anyone out, and while I encourage comments, if you work out where I do, I ask that you not to speculate on who I am discussing.  It isn’t my intent to condemn or criticize any one individual, but to use these incidences as cautionary examples.

Can we prevent every potential injury while working out? Of course not.

No matter how focused we are, how proper our form is or how strong we are feeling — sometimes an injury can occur.  However, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t take steps to prevent an injury.

Many people have different opinions about what is the most important aspect of preventing injuries, yes good form, as it pertains to an individual’s structure and function is important, and since I neither warm up nor stretch prior to a workout,(I know, let the condemnation begin), I don’t talk much about that.  To me there is no greater aid when it comes to injury prevention than focus and concentration.

I am astounded to see the lack of focus when I am at the gym, and that lack of focus comes not only from those working out, but on occasion, a personal trainer, which was one of my signs.

First off, let’s discuss the signs:

1-      I was in the middle of a set of seated rows, pulling the weight back when a person with whom I am familiar said hello to me.  Now, I don’t mean to be rude, but when I am in the middle of a set — I do NOT have conversations, or even acknowledge anyone else for that matter.  I am focused on the exercise, making sure that I am getting the most out of what I am doing, and also ensuring I don’t get injured.  When I am done, if the other person is between sets, I will go over apologize and say hello.  Well, this person must have felt rebuffed, because he then got in my field of vision and waved, then mimicked the exercise I was doing.  At that point, my concentration gone,  I simply let the handle go and stopped the set.

English: an exercise of shoulder (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

2-      This morning one of the personal trainers was training a group of three.  I was between sets and happened to glance over because of the loud conversation emanating from the multi-purpose rack. While one person was doing overhead presses, the other two and the trainer were rambling on and on about some topic not related to training.  Then, for some inexplicable reason, the person doing the overhead presses turned their head to the side and back a little, in the middle of a repetition.  I couldn’t believe the trainer did not correct this; does anyone not realize the stress and strain that intervertebral discs are under during an overhead press?  The spine can handle it because that stress is distributed evenly as long as the head is facing straight ahead, once twisting and torque is added to the equation —- the risk of bulging, herniation and or even fragmentation is increased.  Shocked at what I saw, I resisted the urge to say something, because I know it is pointless, I blocked them out and went about my workout.

3-      Finally, this morning, as I am driving to my office, a person is jogging on the sidewalk, when in the middle of the block the jogger decides to abruptly cross the street, directly in front of my car.  I gave a tap on the horn, but the jogger simply ignored me and then made another cut in front of another vehicle.  It was then I noticed the earbuds in each ear.  I was dumbfounded.  I mean really, blasting music or whatever, directly into your ears when jogging near, or in this case, in traffic?  Where is the common f*&^ing sense?

My advice concerning focus is rather simple.  Once you, or another person, are approaching a barbell, dumbbell or any other weightlifting machine to perform a repetition or set, no conversation, acknowledgement or any other signs of contact should occur.  (Not including encouragement from a training partner or spotter) If you are doing the lifting, your attention should be focused 100% on the task at hand.  If you are nearing someone who is performing a set or repetition, show them that you respect not only the fact they are working out, but that you respect them.  Yes, I say hello to people, and on rare occasion have a conversation but only between one of my supersets or their sets, never when anyone is actually performing a rep, once my attention is directed at the exercise — that’s it, everything else is blocked out.

As far as headphones, I don’t think they have any place in an exercise routine.  The music, or whatever one is listening to, is nothing more than a distraction.  When I am jogging, I want to be in tune with myself; I want to be focused on the motion of my legs and arms, the pace of my breathing and yes the sounds around me; especially if traffic is nearby.

In the gym, when lifting weights, I use my auditory feedback to pace myself and garner feedback.  I get a kick out of everyone starring at the mirror, but they don’t realize the importance of sound as they are lifting weights.  Today, as I was doing leg extensions on an old Nautilus® machine; I listened to the chain clicking around the big old cam.  That noise allows me to know just where I am in the exercise, allowing me to pause just prior to the weight stack coming to rest.  While doing stiff legged deadlifts, if I hear the clang of the weights at the top, I know I’ve gone just a little too far; so I am listening for silence.

Additionally, if someone in the gym is in distress, I can hear their verbal cues that they may need assistance.  And, am I the only one who has ever had someone playing air drums bump into them when doing a set because they are more focused on their performance than others around them?

I know people are attached to their world canceling, isolating devices, but try working out without it for a few weeks.  Pay attention to every move, every breath, each and every bang and clang from the weights — and instead of detaching yourself from the energy surrounding you, become part of it.  You might realize you have been missing an important part of the experience.

This was a little long, but I hope that you can see the important of focus and concentration when exercising.  One little out of place twist or pull or step can cause a preventable injury.  So respect yourself, your surroundings and others — when the weight is being moved, keep conversation, not including a spotter’s encouragement, out of the equation until the weight is placed down or re-racked.

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Obesity Undone: Fat Then Fit Now; A Life Beyond Weight Loss, Edition 2

https://www.createspace.com/3903024

http://www.obesityundone.com/

Physical Culturist and Chiropractor, Dr. Joe Leonardi is the author of the life changing book, “Obesity Undone” and a contributor to NaturallySavvy.com and CarbSmart.com. He is available to appear on any talk radio, internet podcast or television outlet.

He has appeared on 94.3FM’s The David Maderia Show, What’s Weighing You Down, w/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
http://www.obesityundone.com/

———————————————————————————————————————
************The information contained herein is for information purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease or disorder. The posting and videos 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 No guarantees are made or to be implied.************

Related articles

• An interview with Jeff Eades, Personal Trainer. (thetechsideoffit.com)
• Personal Trainers: Don’t Let Gym Injuries Hurt Your Business (hiscoxusa.com)
• Why do personal trainers need professional liability insurance? (hiscoxusa.com)
• 5 Tips On Getting The Most Out Of Your Deadlifts (benefitsofdeadlifts.com)
• Apply These Great Tips To Improve Your Physical Fitness (blessingsrobertsonwinn.wordpress.com)
• Good Form (monsterzelitefitness.com)
• Shoulder pain – stop it in it’s tracks! (choiceosteo.wordpress.com)
• Suspension is the way forward (leaderofwesteros.wordpress.com)
• My view of exercising with barbells (barbellbenefits.wordpress.com)
• Perform Bar Or Cable Rowing For A Strong, Thick Back (three60fitness.ca)

The Comeback Redux Episode 203 {282 lbs}

 

The Comeback Redux Episode 203 {282 lbs}

Chiropractor and Physical Culturist Joe Leonardi discusses consistency, if you’ll notice the weight is the same, I was inconsistent this past week.

http://joeleonardicurriculumvitae.wordpress.com/

https://www.createspace.com/3903024

http://www.obesityundone.com/

Physical Culturist and Chiropractor, Dr. Joe Leonardi is the author of the life changing book, “Obesity Undone” and a contributor to NaturallySavvy.com and CarbSmart.com. He is available to appear on any talk radio, internet podcast or television outlet.

He has appeared on 94.3FM’s The David Maderia Show, What’s Weighing You Down, w/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 http://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 and videos 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 No guarantees are made or to be implied.************

Weight Comes Off — As Weight Comes Off

I am often asked what my goals are for weight loss.  Those of you who have been following my blog and YouTube channel are aware my focus is

English: Public weight scale no more on duty as ornamental element at Néfiach (France) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

primarily on improving overall fitness levels.  However, yes I want to drop weight, but improving my health is the overriding desire.  Body weight, body fat, clothing size and body habitus are tools utilized in monitoring that improvement.

I do have a goal weight; it may change the closer I get to it, depending on how I feel, how clothing fits, etc… I use the target weight to assist me in achieving my overall intention.

The next question I usually get asked is “When do you want to reach that goal?” My answer is always the same, “Whenever I get there.”

I receive many other questions, but for the most part, people don’t believe that I don’t have a set date by which to lose weight.  I further explain that having a set date is pointless, because my overall goal isn’t simply the number on the scale.  However, I elaborate, clarifying that when people set a date or an event, to reach their goal, what usually occurs is a letdown, sometimes brief, other times so bad that it leads to rebounding and recidivism.

I have also been accused of losing weight too fast at certain times.  I give a perplexed look and then I ask a simple question, “Why?”  The answer back is always the same, “Because they say you shouldn’t lose weight too fast.” If you have read either edition of my book, you will know how I feel about them, but I won’t go there today.

English: Blueberries. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Simply put, I do nothing drastically differently when I am dropping weight compared to when I am maintaining.  I don’t starve myself, I don’t sit endlessly in a sauna and I don’t work out any differently.  I eat my meals, which usually are between four and six feedings a day, I jog, skip rope, do sprints and lift weights in some combination every day, regardless of my body weight.  The only slight alteration in my diet is that I add back in some fruit as I near my target weight, and when I am maintaining, I add a little additional fruit and some naturally occurring, unprocessed starches like a sweet potato or yam.  The only changes in my exercise may be a little more distance, heavier weights and quicker and longer sessions — but that is simply because I am in better physical condition, it is part of the process of getting in shape, once you’re there, the body adapts by being able to do more work.

Since the overall objective is improved fitness, to improve health, to live a better life —  don’t get wrapped up on  a set date or some event —  get focused on a lifetime change and remember weight loss is a side effect of fitness; fitness is not the end result of weight loss.

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Obesity Undone: Fat Then Fit Now; A Life Beyond Weight Loss, Edition 2

https://www.createspace.com/3903024

http://www.obesityundone.com/

Physical Culturist and Chiropractor, Dr. Joe Leonardi is the author of the life changing book, “Obesity Undone” and a contributor to NaturallySavvy.com and CarbSmart.com. He is available to appear on any talk radio, internet podcast or television outlet.

He has appeared on 94.3FM’s The David Maderia Show, What’s Weighing You Down, w/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
http://www.obesityundone.com/

———————————————————————————————————————
************The information contained herein is for information purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease or disorder. The posting and videos 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 No guarantees are made or to be implied.************

Related articles

• 5 Best and Worst Drinks for Losing Weight (thenatureheals.wordpress.com)
• New Studies Examining Positive Connections Between Diet Rich in Wild Blueberries and Better Brain Health (prweb.com)
• Sandeep Godiyal ~ The Six Healthiest Foods You’re Not Eating (shiftfrequency.com)
• Five Best And Perfect Summer Foods For Weight Loss (theparlor3.wordpress.com)
• Nursery worker shamed into losing four stone after ripping trousers: Gillian Davie from Stirlingshire, Scotland, began eating healthily (thisismoney.co.uk)
• The Six Healthiest Foods You’re Not Eating (ultimatefulfillment.org)
• The Drew Manning fit2fat2fit experiment Revisited (fatthenfitnow.wordpress.com)
• What Is Lazy? (fatthenfitnow.wordpress.com)
• I Strongly Dislike Being Fat, Unfit and Out Of Shape (fatthenfitnow.wordpress.com)
• Vigilance The Key To Vanquishing Recidivism: The Comeback Redux Episode 202 {282 lbs} (fatthenfitnow.wordpress.com)

Vigilance The Key To Vanquishing Recidivism: The Comeback Redux Episode 202 {282 lbs}

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https://www.createspace.com/3903024


http://www.obesityundone.com/

Physical Culturist and Chiropractor, Dr. Joe Leonardi is the author of the life changing book, “Obesity Undone” and a contributor to NaturallySavvy.com and CarbSmart.com. He is available to appear on any talk radio, internet podcast or television outlet.

He has appeared on 94.3FM’s The David Maderia Show, What’s Weighing You Down, w/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
http://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 and videos 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 No guarantees are made or to be implied.************

I Strongly Dislike Being Fat, Unfit and Out Of Shape

Okay, I admit it — I don’t simply dislike; I *#^$ing hate being in the lousy physical condition I am currently in.  I never thought I would be back to this, but the 300 pound mark was peeking over the horizon — thankfully, I mounted the weight measuring device before reaching that

undesirable destination.

It is remarkable how the mind will play tricks — baggy sweatshirts on a large frame really can hide weight gain; at least in one’s own mind.  The reality is that gaining 80 pounds without admitting to it is nothing more than self-indulgent, gullible denial.

I get a lot of condemnation because I advocate daily weighing.  After this bout of recidivism, I will more strongly advocate that which I abandoned.   Not simply for what the numbers report, but as a primary tool of self-accountability.  If I had only continued to get on the scale — I never would have gotten so far off the mark.  You see, an even bigger aid in self-delusional denial than a big baggy sweatshirt, is avoidance of objective measures.  And, like it or not, the scale is an objective measure.

When I finally faced up to and stepped upon the digital demon, I wanted to open the window and toss it to the ground below.  However, I was aware the scale wasn‘t responsible for the total it conveyed, it was I who avoided all which I had encouraged for so long who dropped the ball.

I took the time to reflect, in both reading and writing.  I wrote several posting about my own introspection and additionally I re-read the book I wrote.  It is funny how all that I had done to not only lose the weight and get fit, but to maintain it for so many years, were recklessly disregarded as stress began to weigh on me nearly as heavily as the skies did upon the shoulders of Atlas.

Atlas and globe Earth Galleries NHM London (Photo credit: hmcotterill)

As I allowed those stressors to pile up — my desire and determination began to wane and the discipline that is so necessary to maintain a healthy and fit life style plummeted, and I — plumped up.

My nice suits, which I so loved wearing, at first became tight, than no longer fit — yet, I remained in denial.

My energy levels dropped more and more, and sleep abandoned me — yet, I remained in denial.

My joy for activity became less and less — yet, I remained in denial.

However, once I faced the scale, denial disappeared.  You see, it wasn’t a device I was facing — it was my own self I stared down.  There was no doubt remaining and no unplausible deniability permitted; it was I who had allowed my fitness to falter.  Moreover, I was well aware of what needed to be done.  The switch had been flipped, and I was ready to commit to myself, to my health and get back to living the better life.

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——————————————————————–

Obesity Undone: Fat Then Fit Now; A Life Beyond Weight Loss, Edition 2

https://www.createspace.com/3903024

http://www.obesityundone.com/

Physical Culturist and Chiropractor, Dr. Joe Leonardi is the author of the life changing book, “Obesity Undone” and a contributor to NaturallySavvy.com and CarbSmart.com. He is available to appear on any talk radio, internet podcast or television outlet.

He has appeared on 94.3FM’s The David Maderia Show, What’s Weighing You Down, w/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
http://www.obesityundone.com/

———————————————————————————————————————
************The information contained herein is for information purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease or disorder. The posting and videos 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 No guarantees are made or to be implied.************

Related articles

• “Unfit for Work” – An Incomplete Story (prweb.com)
• Jimmy Moore’s Guest Podcast Schedule – Week Of April 8, 2013 (livinlavidalowcarb.com)
• Double Coverage With Boss & Two: Talk NBA Playoffs, Derrick Rose, Josh Smith, And More (thacover2.com)

What Is Lazy?

Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (Photo credit: herzogbr)

What Is Lazy?

Merriam-Webster on line defines lazy:

1 a: disinclined to activity or exertion: not energetic or vigorous

b: encouraging inactivity or indolence <a lazy summer day>

2: moving slowly: sluggish

3: droopy, lax <a rabbit with lazy ears>

4: placed on its side <lazy E livestock brand>

5: not rigorous or strict <lazy scholarship>

I never receive more criticism, anger, ire and/or hate filled emails directed toward me as I do when I use the word lazy, or any of its derivatives; sloth, idleness, indolence, etc….  I am often told how wrong I am in my opinion, even though it is simply my opinion.

I am very blessed to have both an academic and clinical background to call on when forming these opinions.  The clinical application plays perhaps the most important role, because it allows me to see day-to-day a truism that any clinician can attest to — that which is always precise in a textbook or research lab, isn’t always the case in real life.

However, in the end it is still simply my opinion. Yet, people get angry with me, which is fine, but I don’t genuinely understand it.  There are many differing theories, ideas, and yes applications of approaches concerning health, wellness, weight management, fitness, etc. — embracing one methodology doesn’t automatically discredit the tomes of available information that may not agree.

There are people out there who simply must have me, or my viewpoint, be incorrect to justify theirs.

Why?

Once again my view is just that, my view, and I am well aware that people will have differing viewpoints, some which are flat-out contradictory.  Big deal!  I don’t require someone to be wrong, for me to be correct in my thinking.  My level of confidence doesn’t require another to be erroneous; actually, my confidence allows me to accept a contradictory viewpoint.

But back to the topic — What is lazy?

When I mention laziness, I am usually referring to definitions 1 and 5, because they most accurately apply to me.  Yes, I admit it; I have a propensity towards laziness.  At this point in my life, I am very in touch with my weaknesses, and laziness is unfortunately one of them.  The demon indolence most often rears its slothful head when I am overweight and out of shape — that is why I write so much about it.  It holds me back from achieving much more than only fitness goals, and giving into it means failure in much more than being fit.

That is why I don’t live by the mantra simply do what feels right.   If that were the case, I would be completely undisciplined, eating to my heart’s content, and laying homeless on a beach somewhere.   Wait a minute —- that doesn’t sound too  …. never mind.

The facts are that I choose to exercise, I choose to eat properly and I choose not to allow obstacles stop me.

If I did whatever I felt; I wouldn’t wake up at the hour I do to go out and jog, then head to the gym to heft iron weights for various sets and repetitions — I would simply sleep until the last possible minute, hit a drive thru, plod through my day at work, eat fast food for lunch and dinner, go home and go to bed.

My lifestyle choices aren’t about weight management; they are about fitness and even more importantly, good health.  It is my view that nothing promotes better health than being physically well-conditioned.  Likewise, one can’t achieve their optimal fitness by doing a half-assed workout

Image via CrunchBase

routine whenever they feel like it.  The way to achieve one’s own ideal fitness is the same way we achieve and fulfill any ambition —- consistent,sustained and unrelenting hard work.

LeBron James didn’t earn another MVP award by practicing only when the mood hit him; Steve Jobs didn’t turn Apple into a dominant business by only showing up at his office whenever it struck his fancy; Ernest Hemingway didn’t become one of the great novelist of his time by writing one hundred or so words each week — no, each of the preceding people didn’t rely solely on their natural talents and gifts, they disciplined themselves to work hard at their chosen craft.

American Author Ernest Hemingway aboard his Yacht around 1950 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If excellence is important to us, we must make the time to strive for it; we commit the hours, efforts and resources — why wouldn’t one desire to take the same approach to improving their fitness?

Laziness is an attitude that can be driven by many factors — poor physical condition, fear, and guilt among others — unfortunately, for many, denying laziness by downplaying it as a factor in our physical decline, is more of an excuse for failure, than accepting personal responsibility for success.

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——————————————————————–

Obesity Undone: Fat Then Fit Now; A Life Beyond Weight Loss, Edition 2

https://www.createspace.com/3903024

http://www.obesityundone.com/

Physical Culturist and Chiropractor, Dr. Joe Leonardi is the author of the life changing book, “Obesity Undone” and a contributor to NaturallySavvy.com and CarbSmart.com. He is available to appear on any talk radio, internet podcast or television outlet.

He has appeared on 94.3FM’s The David Maderia Show, What’s Weighing You Down, w/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
http://www.obesityundone.com/

———————————————————————————————————————
************The information contained herein is for information purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease or disorder. The posting and videos 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 No guarantees are made or to be implied.************

Related articles

• Fate vs. Control (hatchingout.com)
• Lazy (academygirl.wordpress.com)
• The Sin of Laziness (sloth) and What the Bible Has to Say About It (momsfirstscreenn.wordpress.com)
• Sound Wisdom Launches New Book, Leverage Your Laziness: How to Do What You Love All the Time, by Jeff Goldberg and Steve Bookbinder on June 1 (prweb.com)
• Laziness Might Be Tied to Genetics (counselheal.com)

The Drew Manning fit2fat2fit experiment Revisited

On Mar 28, 2012 I did a YouTube posting on the Drew Manning experiment Fit 2 Fat 2 Fit, in which I became especially heated in calling out the farce that Drew Manning was engaging in.  I was appalled that anyone would deliberately get out of shape, and even more angered that one would do it so with some cockamamie bullshit tale claiming that it is to understand what it is like to be obese.

At that time, I never thought I would slip back to unfettered, unfit obesity — but since September of 2012, I collapsed into a huge backslide.  Now, I didn’t get my weight back up to three hundred and forty pounds, but I did get heavy and worse — I let my fitness level decline.

Unlike Drew Manning, I had not intent of getting fat and out of shape; what happened to me is the result of the lifelong battle with food, in particular a carbohydrate addiction, which resulted in my obesity.  Yes, it was and is, my fault because I had a negative response to certain situations and stressors; and yes I made the bad choices to eat junk and sit on my enlarging ass instead of exercising — but it was not with the intention of becoming obese for some stupid rationale that I needed to understand others.  I lived and live it every single day. 

The little factoid I was aware of in the past, and am now experiencing, is that it is much easier to lose weight and get in shape if the weight gain and lack of fitness has only been present for a relatively short period of time.  What occurs is, once you start eating properly and exercising, your muscle memory kicks in and your body responds rapidly to the healthful regime of a good diet and exercise.  Depending how long you have been out of shape, say for six months, it only takes a portion of that time to regain your fitness.  It does nothing to address the overweight, obese and morbidly obese whose conditions have been present for extended periods of time, and who have not had even a passing connection with fitness related activities.  Those people, who the despicable man was trying so hard to comprehend, are people in a situation he could never genuinely appreciate, because he doesn’t possess the food issues, the self-image issues, nor the suffocating feeling of being trapped in an unfit body and mindset for any prolonged period of time.   What he did and I’m sure still does understand is the marketing genius of his actions — because he may have persuaded some of them that now he, Mr. Manning, now gets it.  I think I’m gonna puke.

So, while I am not as enraged by the Drew Manning experiment as I once was, I am still outraged.  This man’s attitude for the obese is nothing short of contemptible, because he pandered to many desperate for a solution.  To now claim he understands is simply a fable; because the concerns that many of us who battle obesity daily have present, are NOT part of him or his personality.  It was a temporary situation, a situation that he was well aware would not be permanent, and worst of all; his genetic make-up, combined with his body’ set point and muscle memory, would not have held the excess weight and body fat for any extended period of time, even if he only resumed a moderate exercise routine and simply restored the diet his body and been accustomed to for so many years.

In other words, what happened easily and rapidly for him, isn’t a realistic representation for those of us who continue the struggle with our good health, wellness, fitness and obesity.

 

 

——————————————————————–

Obesity Undone: Fat Then Fit Now; A Life Beyond Weight Loss, Edition 2

https://www.createspace.com/3903024

http://www.obesityundone.com/

Physical Culturist and Chiropractor, Dr. Joe Leonardi is the author of the life changing book, “Obesity Undone” and a contributor to NaturallySavvy.com and CarbSmart.com. He is available to appear on any talk radio, internet podcast or television outlet.

He has appeared on 94.3FM’s The David Maderia Show, What’s Weighing You Down, w/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
http://www.obesityundone.com/

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

************The information contained herein is for information purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease or disorder.
The posting and videos 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 No guarantees are made or to be implied.************

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• New National Obesity Statistics are Troublesome says Children’s Obesity Fund (prweb.com)
• Live in fitness camp (liveinfitnesscampx.wordpress.com)
• To Beat Obesity: It’s You vs. You. (ygenmed.wordpress.com)
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Movement Is Life

When I first started regaining weight and losing my good health, the first thing that dropped off was my mental energy.  I was stressed and thus made some poor decisions, which had negative ramifications on my well-being, on my business and on my life.  As my mental energy went from positive to negative, it started negatively impacting everything else.

This was a blessing and not the curse I believed it was. Now, more than before, I understand recidivism.  I had kept my weight off for three and half good years, and was never close to backsliding — but I have been humbled and relearned that the battle with obesity is a fight for a lifetime. I am also much stronger in my conviction that it isn’t about weight management — it is about overall physical and mental fitness.

The man who taught me to be a chiropractor, Dr. Violini, was very fond of saying, movement is life.

Movement is everything he would elaborate — from moving our lungs, to our hearts, to even our bowels, if movement ceased — so would the person.  He further taught me that the most important thing a person could do for themselves was to exercise.  Exercise caused everything to not merely move, but to move better.   When I stopped moving my body, everything else began to slow down.

I have been quoted many times as saying that “Weight loss is a side effect of fitness.”   I continue to believe that wholeheartedly.  Because as my fitness level suffered, so did everything else, including my diet.  As I was less and less active, I started craving and eventually eating the foods that would fuel my indolence.  Since my discipline for physical improvement was faltering, discipline in eating also became unimportant.  It is then I came to a very stark realization, one that I’m sure many will not like me saying or writing, but unpopularity of an opinion has never stopped me before.

If weight loss is a side effect of fitness, conversely laziness is a side effect of being unfit.

Many who are overweight are often accused of being lazy, but through my latest ordeal, I have come to the realization that it is a lack of good diet, good exercise and good mental energy that lead to the eventual sluggishness that is perceived as laziness.   My only concern is that when people start to eat correctly, without embracing fitness — slothfulness continues to remain evident.

Good Calories Bad Calories Summary (Photo credit: Earthworm)

I read plenty of information and blogs, and I am astonished to note, much of it from the low carb community, with which I share so much passion, the unimportance of exercise.   Science writer extraordinaire, Gary Taubes, even goes so far to imply that exercise may cause weight gain.

I must ponder the questions; are these people anti-exercise because they are genuinely uninformed, or worse, are they so opposed to exercise because their brain has been programmed for idleness?

Exercise is not solely a component of effective weight loss, it is important for maintaining overall health and wellness.  When the human body is properly conditioned, it functions much more optimally — any other implication is some type of odd justification, distortion or just flat out bullshit.

I do not adhere to the calories in calories out theorem; however I do ascribe to an energy in energy out mindset.  Yes, most carbohydrates are not good for us, and excess carbohydrates are bad, very bad for us — not simply with regards to weight management, but overall health.  But you can’t tell me that consuming in excess, any macronutrient, is any healthier.  If you fill a gas tank with fuel, the fuel which is not burned for energy must be stored somewhere — in the

Explaining health during his TV show (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

human body it is stored as fat.

So, why eschew exercise?  You can’t have improved physical fitness without exercise; so why avoid or downplay its importance?

We should not allow the conditioned state of sloth to remain present.

We must conquer it by moving our bodies every day.

Get out, exercise and become fit.

Hell, it worked for Jack LaLanne.

 

 

Name(required)

Email(required)

Website

Message

——————————————————————–

Obesity Undone: Fat Then Fit Now; A Life Beyond Weight Loss, Edition 2

https://www.createspace.com/3903024

http://www.obesityundone.com/

Physical Culturist and Chiropractor, Dr. Joe Leonardi is the author of the life changing book, “Obesity Undone” and a contributor to NaturallySavvy.com and CarbSmart.com. He is available to appear on any talk radio, internet podcast or television outlet.

He has appeared on 94.3FM’s The David Maderia Show, What’s Weighing You Down, w/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
http://www.obesityundone.com/

———————————————————————————————————————
************The information contained herein is for information purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease or disorder. The posting and videos 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 No guarantees are made or to be implied.************

Related articles

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The Introspection Triology

The last 3 postings were some reflections, introspection and self-analysis so I could start moving forward.  I am re-posting them here as one post, but I will leave the titles intact.  I hope you find them helpful, and you too can take time for some self-reflection to help you move forward.

Joe

The Power of Writing

Key West (Photo credit: GarySlinger)

Some days I really feel like just dropping out.  I want to get in my car, drive south and stop when there is no more road — which would be the end of U.S. 1 in

Southern end of US 1, Key West (Photo credit: djaquay)

Key West.  I could live with that, at a time when income was plentiful, I went to Key West at least twice a year.  That was back in the day when even my bad decisions, worked out for the better.

These days, I can’t even make a good decision about which brand of coffee to drink.  It is strange, about a year ago; my life was finally back on track.  After some very bad decisions and bad luck, things were again looking bright.  I was in the best physical condition of my life, my new practice was starting to materialize, I was doing interview after interview on weight loss and fitness, and my book, Obesity Undone, was beginning to sell.

Then, I made one of those bad decisions.  Unlike the olden days, this bad decision snowballed, and the stress and tension caused my once strong back to buckle.   As I dealt poorly with the stress, my fitness level plummeted and my body plumped up.  Now, a year later, I have given grim consideration to just giving up.

Since my weight loss, I became a positive person, and I always consciously focused on being positive.  I projected that attitude in my writings, interviews, videos, etc… I never allowed negativity to overtake my positive spirit.

Ernest Hemingway-Memorial (Photo credit: HenryFigueroa)

Edgar Allan Poe (Photo credit: chucka_nc)

Most times, it was easy — but other times, not so much.  Whether it is nature or nurture, I have a deep-seated fatalistic streak.  After watching my grandmother suffer and eventually pass away when I was twelve, I became immersed in the writings of Edgar Allan Poe.  It was a hell of an influence after my first experience with death; the writings of the dark master Poe were a dominant guidance as I started to develop my own rudimentary writing skills.  As my tastes changed, I became a fan of Ernest Hemingway, not so much his writings, which I do enjoy, but the man himself.  For those who don’t know, in addition to his larger than life persona, Hemingway had a lifelong obsession with death which culminated in the taking of his own life.  It is odd, because even though I never knew the man, I understand why he did it. I understand so much so, that his suicide is an important chapter in the novel I wrote, America Enslaved.

I share the same obsession with my own death that both Hemingway and Poe possessed, but more importantly, it was my dream to follow in their literary footsteps.

However, as I have allowed too often, other influences discouraged me from following my dreams and goals.  Those bad decisions trapped me in a life I never desired.   And, as I found myself on the precipice of escape, I would fall back into the abyss.

As is the norm, my recent woes are my own doing —- bad choices, wrong decisions, and mostly — flat out fear, have kept me from following my dreams.

Part of my problem is because the one truth of my life is I don’t feel home in the region which I reside.  I have never been connected to Northeast Pennsylvania; its lack of vitality, its awful climate and the despair that is engrained into so many of us at young ages are factors I can’t embrace.  I always tried to feel at home, I even ran for Congress in an attempt to make the area a better place for future generations.  Still, I feel disconnected, worse — I feel trapped.

I have only felt at home once in my adult life — the two years I lived in Hawaii. I never dreaded a day, even the bad ones.  I was not only at home, I was filled with joy.  To this day, I will never forget my last moments on the island. My friend Doug’s wife prepared a lasagna dinner that we enjoyed as we said good-bye.  It was a grand time with close friends, as we left for the airport, driving off the base, I peered up at the sky — the light puffs of white clouds against the deep blue was more artwork than nature.  I began to cry; I knew I was leaving my true home and I was aware that I would never return.

Why didn’t I simply stay?  A combination of fear and guilt — the duo of emotions that have sabotaged me on more than one occasion — held me back even then.

For all practical purposes, for a long time, that was the last moment I felt alive.  After leaving Oahu, I simply existed and remained that way for a long time.  I tried to adjust, but always I was looking for a way to escape.

Finally, I achieved a modicum of professional and financial success which afforded me the opportunity to vacation several times a year in South Florida.  On those trips, that feeling returned — the feeling of life.  I’m not sure if it was simply the climate, the proximity to the ocean, the differing attitudes or a combination, but again, I was connected.

I am writing and sharing these feelings for a selfish reason — the power of writing helps me mend.   As my fingers dance along the keyboard putting the words to paper, okay computer screen, the despair exits through my fingertips.  Moreover, it allows me to be thankful for what I have.  I recall the reasons I have stayed this time — they are not trivial, they are part of my heart.

So, once again, I will pick myself up, brush away the crumbs of disappointment, wash clean the stench of failure and start moving forward.

My obsession with death allows me solace, comfort, and yes, acceptance of its inevitability.  However, I am in no hurry for that certainty to become reality, and I have no desire to simply exist.  Of the many disadvantages to being unfit and overweight, the primary drawback is the simple fact that life is not as pleasurable.  There is no joy in sucking wind climbing a flight of stairs, or dressing in baggy clothes to conceal the heft of one’s body.

Being healthy,  fit and strong of body gives the mind the same benefits.

I am back on track.

I am coming back.

I will be fit, I will be healthy, I will be successful and even though I know I will never feel connected to the area I call home — I will be thankful, joyful and happy.

*********************************************************************************

“What didn’t I do with the gift of life?”

If you read my most recent posting you are aware that I have a very fatalistic outlook on life.  I don’t know if it is good or bad, but it is what it is, and I use it to my advantage.

Recently, every morning when I wake up I ask myself a couple of questions.

The first is —“Do I want to be alive today?”

The answer is always yes.

Then I ask myself — “Do I want to really live life today, or merely exist?”

The last several months the answer would have been the latter, and, that is what I did.  I skipped my morning workouts, or if I did make it to the gym, my efforts were half-hearted.

I simply went through the motions.

That is also how I spent most of my days, just going through the motions; doing nothing more than merely existing.

The last few days, since I have finally gotten back to taking responsibility for my health, wellness and fitness — when I answer that question, I have chosen to genuinely, passionately and intensely live life.

What that translates into is hard, concentrated workouts in which I give not only my full effort, but my full devotion.  I don’t wear earphones, or engage in conversation.  I pay attention to what I am doing.  I feel the muscles as they move the weights, I get in touch with my breathing as I jog, and I get into rhythm with the rope as it passes under my feet.  Furthermore, I take that attitude, effort and resolve into the rest of my day.

At the end of the day, I pose to myself, “If I was certain my life was going to end that night — how would I answer the question; “What didn’t I do with the gift of life?”

I know the answer, and at the end of my time, I don’t want the reply to be the same I would give right now.

As wonderful as much of my life has been, there has always been something missing —- the one great dream I gave up because I was consistently told it was NOT realistic.

I was told, “You need to go to school, college, maybe further.”

I was told, “You need to get a job, one with benefits, maybe save a little money.”

Sadly, for the most part, as much as I hate to admit it, I did just that.  Now, as I am closing in on the half century mark, the last question I ask myself is “What was it all for?”

The reality is that I am going to die whether I had a good job, whether I saved any money, or whether I had benefits. Because I chose to fall into a negativity trap — I am going to die the shell of the man I could have been; no — should have been and still can be.

Is it too late?  It better not be, but even if it is, I don’t care — I am forging ahead and no matter what the naysayers say — I will do what I have dreamed of since I was young.  I will do it with all the drive and determination I can muster — and if I pass before I have accomplished, at least I will have the peace of mind knowing that I was pushing forward.

***************************

Weakness Is A Crime — Don’t Be A Criminal

The above quote is attributed to the one and only Bernarr Macfadden.  Who was Bernarr?  He was eccentric, driven, passionate, influential and whole lot  more, but most importantly, he was the father of mass media physical culture and for better or worse, a large influence in much of my own thinking concerning the attitude of physical culture.

I despise weakness, mostly in myself, but in general I am not a fan of it in others.  There are many weak attitudes and actions that get under my skin.  One of the big ones is germaphobes and the whole hand sanitizer bullshit.  Not only because I really question what germs everyone is so afraid of, but also, because it is weakening us as a whole and causing many microbes to evolve and become stronger, more resistant.

But, back to my own weaknesses; I have several and I hate, despise, loathe, scorn, abhor, detest…. okay enough of synonyms; each and every single one of them.

The big two, those that have prevented me from realizing my life’s desires are FEAR and GUILT.   Much like Dickens’ want and ignorance, these two weaknesses have held me back, but the one I must beware the most is FEAR — FEAR has stopped me cold in my tracks much more often, and with much more power than GUILT ever has.

It’s funny, because even though I had FEAR in my youth, it didn’t stop me, if anything it may have encouraged me.  As I have previously written, I have never felt connected to my hometown.  When I was seventeen, I couldn’t wait to escape, and although it was only temporary, I did.

I graduated high school on June 16^th; on June 21^st I was at the Recruit Training Center in Orlando Florida — Navy Boot Camp.  Yes, I did miss my family, but I was away from Northeast Pennsylvania and all of the shackles associated with life there.  I felt FEAR, but that FEAR wasn’t going to keep me down. And, for five years I was free — I had escaped.

What the hell happened? 

FEAR!

 

I was on my last tour of duty, when the Navy decided that we should part ways a few months earlier than planned.  I was caught off guard, and from the time I received notice to the actual event, only a matter of days had passed.  I had every intention to stay in Hawaii after my enlistment ended, which would have been in November, but the suddenness of the discharge in late July left me reeling. That insurmountable FEAR reared its ugly head. I didn’t know what to do, so I took the safe and secure option — I left the beautiful blue skies of Hawaii for the dankness of Northeast PA and went back to my family and the repressing manacles of the Northeast Pennsylvania mindset — I have allowed those chains to bind me ever since.

It is hard to describe this area to those not from here.  Those born and raised here don’t see it unless they too have escaped, but the unfortunate transplants comprehend the pestilence which has settled over the region.

If you desire to get a sense of the despair that pervades Northeast PA, all one needs do is tune into the local talk radio station WILK.  It doesn’t matter the host’s particular political bent or ideology, they are all prefect examples of the mentality that crushes the spirit of the young — forever oppressing them into the station into which they were born.

The morning show hosted by Nancy Kman and John Webster is nothing but a week long beer commercial, culminating with the Friday Beer Buzz.  A show, where at 8:30 in the morning, the hosts and what sounds like attendees of a college, frat kegger, imbibe beer, and if you listen closely, you can hear the tell tale speech patterns of people who are buzzed.  I don’t drink alcohol, the beverage has no place in a healthy and fit lifestyle.  However, what bothers me so much about this inane and asinine programing, is the fact that Northeast PA has such an immense alcohol problem —- which is only highlighted and encouraged by our local news talk radio program.

After the beer swilling is over, next up is the glumness of Sue Henry.  Her flat out sadness makes one long for the cheerfulness of Debbie Downer.  I can’t recall the last thing Sue said that promoted happiness, joy or even a little hope for that matter.  Her show is one long monologue of just how awful the world is, and I believe her goal is to make her listeners as miserable as she appears.

Then there is the afternoon host Steve Corbett; a man who never sees the light at the end of the tunnel, who if asked if a glass was half empty or half full, would simply pour any remaining water out onto the ground and then blame you for the fact that he had to waste it instead of giving it to some poor soul who was entitled to drink it.

Another prime example would be local weather people, primarily Joe Snedeker and Dave Skutnik — no matter how beautiful the forecast, these two David Letterman wannnabes will always throw in, “but don’t get too excited, because it will get bad again soon.”  Heaven forbid anyone just enjoy what is here at the moment — no the NEPA mantra of it will be bad has to be added.

All are representative of the area in which I was born — entitlements, resentment and bleakness.  This environment I desperately tried to escape, but kept getting dragged back to, until eventually I was trapped and suffocated.

However, in the end, I do realize the choices were mine — always made because of either GUILT or FEAR.  Well, I’m done with that.   I will pursue my dreams, and I won’t miss another opportunity because of either emotion, for as I have said, life is finite.

Name(required)

Email(required)

Website

Comment(required)

——————————————————————–

Obesity Undone: Fat Then Fit Now; A Life Beyond Weight Loss, Edition 2

https://www.createspace.com/3903024

http://www.obesityundone.com/

Physical Culturist and Chiropractor, Dr. Joe Leonardi is the author of the life changing book, “Obesity Undone” and a contributor to NaturallySavvy.com and CarbSmart.com. He is available to appear on any talk radio, internet podcast or television outlet.

He has appeared on 94.3FM’s The David Maderia Show, What’s Weighing You Down, w/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
http://www.obesityundone.com/

———————————————————————————————————————
************The information contained herein is for information purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease or disorder. The posting and videos 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 No guarantees are made or to be implied.************

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• Fear (today1dotorg.wordpress.com)

“What didn’t I do with the gift of life?”

If you read my most recent posting you are aware that I have a very fatalistic outlook on life.  I don’t know if it is good or bad, but it is what it is, and I use it to my advantage.

Recently, every morning when I wake up I ask myself a couple of questions.

The first is —“Do I want to be alive today?”

The answer is always yes.

Then I ask myself — “Do I want to really live life today, or merely exist?”

The last several months the answer would have been the latter, and, that is what I did.  I skipped my morning workouts, or if I did make it to the gym, my efforts were half-hearted.

I simply went through the motions.

That is also how I spent most of my days, just going through the motions; doing nothing more than merely existing.

The last few days, since I have finally gotten back to taking responsibility for my health, wellness and fitness — when I answer that question, I have chosen to genuinely, passionately and intensely live life.

What that translates into is hard, concentrated workouts in which I give not only my full effort, but my full devotion.  I don’t wear earphones, or engage in conversation.  I pay attention to what I am doing.  I feel the muscles as they move the weights, I get in touch with my breathing as I jog, and I get into rhythm with the rope as it passes under my feet.  Furthermore, I take that attitude, effort and resolve into the rest of my day.

At the end of the day, I pose to myself, “If I was certain my life was going to end that night — how would I answer the question; “What didn’t I do with the gift of life?”

I know the answer, and at the end of my time, I don’t want the reply to be the same I would give right now.

As wonderful as much of my life has been, there has always been something missing —- the one great dream I gave up because I was consistently told it was NOT realistic.

I was told, “You need to go to school, college, maybe further.”

I was told, “You need to get a job, one with benefits, maybe save a little money.”

Sadly, for the most part, as much as I hate to admit it, I did just that.  Now, as I am closing in on the half century mark, the last question I ask myself is “What was it all for?”

The reality is that I am going to die whether I had a good job, whether I saved any money, or whether I had benefits. Because I chose to fall into a negativity trap — I am going to die the shell of the man I could have been; no — should have been and still can be.

Is it too late?  It better not be, but even if it is, I don’t care — I am forging ahead and no matter what the naysayers say — I will do what I have dreamed of since I was young.  I will do it with all the drive and determination I can muster — and if I pass before I have accomplished, at least I will have the peace of mind knowing that I was pushing forward.

——————————————————————–

Obesity Undone: Fat Then Fit Now; A Life Beyond Weight Loss, Edition 2

https://www.createspace.com/3903024

http://www.obesityundone.com/

Physical Culturist and Chiropractor, Dr. Joe Leonardi is the author of the life changing book, “Obesity Undone” and a contributor to NaturallySavvy.com and CarbSmart.com. He is available to appear on any talk radio, internet podcast or television outlet.

He has appeared on 94.3FM’s The David Maderia Show, What’s Weighing You Down, w/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
http://www.obesityundone.com/

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************The information contained herein is for information purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease or disorder. The posting and videos 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 No guarantees are made or to be implied.************