Exercise, Nutrition, WLS & Cooking Q&A - 10/17/2013

I am here to help in whatever way I can.

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor (yet). I am not a nutritionist (yet), I am not a personal trainer (yet). I am not a psychologist (yet). I am not a chef (but a pretty damn good cook). I have however read, watched, researched, and experimented extensively over the past several years, so whatever advice I dispense, take it for what it is worth.

You might've commented on this before but what are your thoughts on the fit bit?  is it worth it?

I loved mine when I first started exercising. It made me want to walk more and get some stairs in. It was very motivating. Now that I exercise much more than back then I have stopped using it but yes I believe it was worth it. Now they have a cooler model too.

I seriously suck at the exercise game and I just need some added motivation!  Thanks, Keith!

The key to exercise is to show up. I used to hate when people said that to me but it is true. If you arrive at the gym, you will go. If you drive to the park to walk you will do it. The hard part about exercising is not the exercise it's showing up. Even when I am sore if I get there, I will do it.no matter how bad I don't want to go if I make myself go,I usually have a good workout. In fact I can count the number of bad workouts I've had in the past year on one hand with fingers to spare and only one was on a time I didn't want to go. Exercise is contagious. After two weeks you start to want to go.

Caf or decaf?  I don't think we've had a caffeine battle on this board for a while, and I'm feeling like a little stinker today.

But seriously, your thoughts on caffeine?

I am fore and against it. I know. I know. I use it a lot during training to help keep my heart rate up to burn more calories, but I do exercise a lot and pretty hard when I do. Other than that I am not a fan because it messes with your sleep which is just as important as food and exercise. So no caffeine after noon. Caffeine also causes adrenal fatigue which can slow or even stop weight loss.

Thanks for answering this. 

I'm saying "yikes," because I've been drinking a lot of caffeinated tea and had experienced two of the things you mentioned there, namely sleep problems and my weight loss just clunking to a halt before I want it to, despite eating almost the same stuff I was eating before.  Hmmmm.  Sleep problems could be stress-related as well, though, because i have some issues on the home front.

Caffeine will also amplify the stress issues you have which in turn could be producing more Cortisol. 

arrrrggggghhhhhhhh