Is summer really over?  Wow does time fly by!  This summer I traveled across the country meeting many of you along the way and we talked about different ways to stay fit.  One thing that I have realized about myself during these past few years is that in order for me to stay fit and excited about getting up every day I have to have different events that I train for.

I started right after the Biggest Loser with my first 5k in Phoenix, AZ for Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.  I thought it was perfect!  After making the connection and being empowered by my team color ‘PINK’ on the Biggest Loser.  There couldn’t have been a better fit for my first race to be one that supported other women fighting for their lives and strength.  Day in and day out when I didn’t feel like getting up I thought about all those other women out there in ‘PINK’ who were fighting so many bigger battles than me and it gave me strength to carry on.

I find when I put myself in that frame of mind and kind of narrow in on what feels so hard and impossible for me, it brings it back to reality and I am able to break my obstacle back down one step at a time.  There are so many things in my life and this world that I have no control over and there is nothing I can do about it, so it is important for me to focus on that which I can, in this moment.

I remember being scared to death the morning of the 5K.  What if I couldn’t do it?  What if I was the last one to cross the line?  What if I trip?

After I started none of those thoughts mattered, I was completed moved by running after the survivors of breast cancer in their honored ‘PINK’ t-shirts and amongst family and friends.  It was that day that I realized that this will be how I stay healthy the rest of my life.  I made the commitment to myself to pick 3 races a year to train for, for me and for all those who can’t. 

This year one of those races is the San Diego Susan G. Komen Race  for the Cure on Nov. 7, 2010, I decided to go back to my roots!  However, this time I’m going to be the Captain!  I know I’ll give you a minute to catch your breath and settle back down.

Start lacing up those walking /running shoes, because we are getting ready to TRAIN!  You are going to join my team, aren’t you?  Follow this link http://www.komensandiego.org/ to sign up to be on Team Designer Whey.  I can’t WAIT let’s see how many people we can get to be on our team.

Until next time,

Ali xo

Posted in Ali Vincent | COMMENT ON THIS BLOG

Hi Designer Whey! My name is Maggie and I am 29 years old. I am happily married stay at home mother of two great children and this is my story…
 
My battle with weight began in 2002 when my son was born. I figured I was young and that my body would bounce back after I had him…boy was I wrong! The 75 pounds (yes, you read that correctly) that I gained during my pregnancy stayed and over time I gained even more! I dealt with some postpartum depression after the birth of my son and that made it all the more difficult for me to get motivated to get healthy again. If anything the depression made me want to eat more! I found myself in a vicious cycle and I could see no light at the end of the tunnel. In 2005 I became pregnant with my second child, a little girl. I gained the “normal” 25 pounds during that pregnancy and after her birth I was weighing almost DOUBLE what I did before I had children. At that point I think I was feeling comfortable in the life I was living. I wasn’t educated on healthy foods and the benefits of a proper diet and exercise. I was feeding my family processed garbage and exercise wasn’t even a part of my life. I had been ignoring warnings from my doctor about diabetes and I was getting used to the CPAP machine for my sleep apnea. I honestly figured I’d just be fat for the rest of my life and that there was no getting “me” back. I was stuck…
 
In 2007 my mother had to undergo emergency brain surgery to clip an aneurysm. This was the scariest time of our lives. I had never been so close to losing a loved one and it really impacted me in a serious way. I knew that I had to start taking my health seriously and change my life…for myself and for my children. They didn’t deserve a mother who couldn’t run and play with them…a mother who lost her breath after a trip up the stairs. I knew I had a lot of weight to lose (over 100 pounds) and I wanted to So I started looking into gastric bypass surgery and after a year of educating myself on the risks and meeting with doctors etc. I underwent the surgery on August 17th of 2009 at 240 pounds. I am happy to report that I have lost 96 pounds and counting! I have completely changed how I eat and how I feed my family. I exercise every day and I’ve never felt so good mentally and physically! It’s amazing! I have my life back and it’s better than ever! The surgery was a huge tool in my weight loss and I know that unless I keep up with a proper diet and exercise that I will just gain it back. I am determined to not let that happen. I can’t imagine going back to that!
 
Your products have been a huge help in my weight loss journey. I have tried lots of protein products and nothing compares to Designer Whey! Thank you so much for making such great products!
 
Peace & Love,
Maggie St. Jean

Posted in DESIGNER WHEY Healthy Minute, Uncategorized | COMMENT ON THIS BLOG

DESIGNER WHEY is challenging you to Get Healthy. Get Strong. And Get Results. For the next 90 days, we want you to set a few fitness goals for yourself and track them, posting your weekly results on our Facebook page. At the end of each month during the challenge, we’ll pick a few people who are on track with their goals to receive free products.

With a solid and well thought-out exercise and nutrition plan, you can achieve your fitness goals, no matter what they are. Whether you want to lose 5 or 100 lbs, to run a marathon, to lift more weight in the gym or to just have more energy, Designer Whey is with you every step of the way.

Let’s start with Goal Setting. Most everyone’s heard of S.M.A.R.T. Goals – Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely. Using the S.M.A.R.T. Goal Setting System will ensure you’re set up for success. Using the worksheet found on Facebook, write down your S.M.A.R.T. goals. Here’s an example:

Specific: I want to lose 20 pounds in 3 months and reduce my B.M.I from 33% to 24%. Replace my morning coffee with Green Tea; Eat 5 servings fruits & veggies daily; Get at least 75 grams of protein daily.

Measurable: I will write down my progress in a fitness journal everyday. I’ll evaluate my success at the end of every week so I can plan accordingly for next week.

Attainable: The goals I’ve set above are easily achievable. If anything, I will make sure I’m going over & above in my daily efforts so I am pleasantly surprised at the end of the 3 months.

Realistic: Losing 20lbs in 3months breaks down to 1.6 pounds every week. I can do this!!!!

Timely:  At the end of three months, I am going on a vacation to Hawaii with my family. That’s a REALLY nice reward when I reach my goals.

Once I achieve my short term goal, I’ll re-evaluate my goals to include a few long-term ones, like running a marathon or eliminating caffeine from my diet altogether.

Make a list of 10 things you can do right away to get on track. Here’s mine:

1)     I’m going to use a fitness journal to track my daily progress. I like fitbook – it’s the most comprehensive and user-friendly tool of its kind. It fits right in my purse or gym bag so I can take it anywhere. I also like the daily nutrition checklists. There’s even a multivitamin reminder! Research says: write down everything you eat and you can cut your intake by 500 to 1,000 calories a day. To learn more about fitbook, visit them at www.getfitbook.com

 2)     I tossed out all the junk food from my desk drawers and kitchen. I threw away Oreo’s, Diet Coke and lots of candy. I feel healthier already!

 3)     Every morning, I put 2 big bottles of water on my desk. I don’t leave at the end of the day until every drop is gone!   

 4)     I won’t eat or drink anything after 7pm except maybe a scoop of DW in 8 oz of skim milk to keep me satisfied until the morning.

 5)     I exercise BEFORE work so there’s no excuses after work (too tired, family obligations, etc).

 6)     I’ve stocked my kitchen with fresh fruits and veggies. I put fresh cut veggies in baggies so I can easily grab them every morning before work.

 7)     I won’t deprive myself of any treats, but I will eat CONSCIOUSLY, meaning no more mindless grazing in the afternoons and I will read labels.

 8)     I am going to eat 6 smaller meals everyday as opposed to 3 big meals. That way my energy will stay up all day long and I won’t cave in so easily to my cravings.

 9)     I’ve enlisted a couple of friends who also want to drop a few pounds and get healthier & stronger. We put together a workout schedule for the week that includes 3 yoga classes, 3 power walks and 2 weight-lifting sessions at the gym.

 10) Last but not least – I put pictures up at work and home of my upcoming trip to Hawaii: the resort pool, the beautiful beaches and a KILLER bikini that I’m going to buy for my trip. My motivation is always right in front of me.

 We’ll provide daily fitness & nutrition tips as well as LOTS of motivation & inspiration. Together, we can do this!

My reward

Posted in DESIGNER WHEY Healthy Minute | 4 Comments

Let’s face it. One of the best things about vacation is actually taking a break from everyday life. For most of us, everyday life includes watching what you eat and working out. If you truly enjoy a complete escape from your everyday existence,  you eat & drink anything and everything. The result: a blissful week full of fun memories and an extra 5-10 pounds to contend with upon returning home.

If you’re motivated to stay on track with your fitness goals despite going on vacation, it can be done!  If you make a few small changes while you’re away, you can actually return from your vacation leaner and healthier than when you left (or at least return home at the same weight). So pack your bags and have a blast on your vacation without busting your bikini.

Let’s start with the first potential gut buster: getting there. If you’re flying and experience a long layover, beware of those sugary, high-calorie foods comfort foods typically found at airport. A couple of hours in an airport terminal can easily turn into a couple of thousand extra calories. For example, nosh on a Cinnabon while you’re waiting at the gate and you’ve ingested 700 calories. A Starbucks blueberry crumb cake? Another 800 calories. Worst of all, high-sugar, high-carb foods just don’t cut it when it comes to reducing your hunger. What are they good for? Spiking blood levels of insulin, a hormone that stimulates fat storage. Ugh.

Travel Tip #1: Pack travel-friendly foods like snack packs of StarKist Tuna Salad, whole grain crackers, almonds, trail mix, and protein bars. Don’t forget your Designer Whey Protein 2Go packs – they are beyond perfect for travelling. Note: be selective when choosing your bars. Read labels people!! Watch out for high sugar, carbs or fat content. Look for a bar that provides a minimum of 20 grams of protein to keep you satisfied and fuller, longer.  

If you must eat airline food, pass on anything overly “carby” – pasta for example. Opt instead for a protein dish (chicken, beef, or fish) as your main entree; and request seconds of any fresh vegetables they serve.

When it comes to in-flight snacking ask for nuts or fruit instead of pretzels and chips. And choose 1 percent milk as your beverage of choice (other than water). Its perfect combination of protein (8 g), carbohydrates (11 g), and fat (2 g) will fill you up and keep you that way better than nearly any other snack. Better yet – mix a scoop of Designer Whey protein powder with your milk. Instant protein shake in the air!

Travel Tip #2: Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Water is your best friend during flights. Every traveler knows that airplane cabins use recycled air and have a very low humidity level. But most travelers don’t realize that breathing dry air can turn you into a blimp. Dehydration due to airline air is a major cause of fatigue, and fatigue, in turn, makes you want to eat.

What to do? Start drinking water long before your flight to keep a grip on your appetite. Drink at least 8 ounces of water before your flight. Bring one 16 ounce bottle of water for every 2 hours you’ll be in the air, and down it all before you land. 

Travel Tip #3: Plan to exercise or get at least 30 minutes of physical activity everyday to offset extra calories you’re sure to be eating and drinking.  Even while on vacation, you still have lots of options to stay physically active. Check out your hotel gym or any fitness classes being offered.  Most resorts offer state-of-the-art exercise facilities and fun group activities such as water aerobics, power walks, yoga, pilates, volleyball and more. If your hotel doesn’t have a gym (or the equipment is outdated), go for a swim in the hotel pool.  If the hotel pool isn’t big enough for laps, just tread water for 10-20 minutes – you can burn up to 200 calories. Last but never least, plan a leisurely walk to take in the sights. Ask your hotel concierge for their recommendations on what to see & where to go. Lace up your sneakers and get moving!

Posted in DESIGNER WHEY Healthy Minute | COMMENT ON THIS BLOG

My story can pretty much be summed up as your general “the fat kid” kind of story. All of my life, from 2nd grade until recently, I was always the fat kid. As can be expected, I received more than my fair share of insults, crude jokes and awful treatment from mostly everyone. I had the typical attitude about all of it, pretending as though it didn’t bother me, convincing myself that I was OK with my weight and that if I wanted to change I could do so with out any problem. The reality of the situation, however, was that I wasn’t OK with my weight and I didn’t know how to change it. I would always mope around, internally disgusted with myself but never able to muster the will power to do anything about it. Well, that attitude finally changed one morning, when at the age of 24, at weight of nearly 300 lbs and with a 2-pack a day smoking habit, I decided that I no longer wanted to constantly wake up with back and knee pain, barely able to catch my breath.

Starting in the Summer of 2008, with the help of my wonderful wife (who also dieted with me and lost 60 lbs!), I stopped smoking and began a diet and exercise program that would finally rid me of the moniker of “the fat kid”. I started off with a sensible eating plan, generally sticking to the same foods on a daily basis. Wheaties and a Banana for breakfast, yogurt for a snack, turkey sandwich and apples for lunch, chicken breast and brown rice for dinner and another snack after an hour of walking. After I began noticing the weight dropping off, I added light weight training into my regimen, and this is where Designer Whey enters the story. I initially started using Designer Whey on the recommendation of my older brother, who had recently lost a good bit of weight with the help of Designer Whey and a weight training program. I purchased a container of the Chocolate flavor, skeptical of how good a protein powder could really taste, and was shocked to find it to be just as good as my brother had made it out to be! The taste alone was enough to get me to continue using it, but the results it helps me achieve are even better! From that day forward, I have always ended my workouts with 2 delicious scoops of Designer Whey mixed into 12 ounces of milk.

Two years have passed since I decided that I was going to make a change, and I am currently at 187 lbs. I have now shifted my weight training program towards the goal of adding muscle, and Designer Whey is a prime ingredient in helping me do so. I am currently one month into my new workout routine and have achieved noticeable muscle gain. I would recommend Designer Whey to anyone, whether your goal is to lose weight, maintain a healthy weight, or to increase muscle mass, Designer Whey protein powder is a wonderful choice to help you meet, and exceed, all of your expectations!  

Ryan M. McCallister

Posted in DESIGNER WHEY Healthy Minute | COMMENT ON THIS BLOG

Welcome to Designer Whey’s Protein Shakes 101. If you’re looking for a way to turn ordinary protein shakes into extraordinary, delicious and healthy shakes, you’ve come to the right place! 

By adding simple, easy to find ingredients, you can power up your protein shakes while adding fantastic flavor and lots of variety. Here are some great shake additions that will send the nutritional content of your protein shakes soaring.

Let’s start with the most basic shake addition: fruits. A good rule of thumb is to use fresh fruits that are in season. You’ll get better flavor and it’s more economical than using “off-season” fruits. Your best bet during summer months are berries.

Strawberries are probably the most common fruit added to protein shakes. Not only are they delicious, they are loaded with vitamins and minerals including B Vitamins, vitamin K, copper, and magnesium. Strawberries also contain omega fatty acids. All of this goodness is only 45 calories for about seven medium strawberries. And not only that, the fiber in 1/2 cup strawberries accounts for about 12% of your RDA per serving. The fiber helps your body absorb nutrients, inhibits the production of cholesterol in your liver, and helps stabilize your blood glucose.

Blueberries are not only low in calories, they rank the highest of any fruit for antioxidants. and one cup delivers 14% of the recommended daily dose of fiber and nearly a quarter of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C.

Raspberries also contain strong antioxidants such as Vitamin C. Did you know that they can help you burn fat? Raspberries are packed with fiber and manganese. Fiber helps slow the digestive process so you feel full longer. Manganese is a trace mineral that helps keep your metabolic rate high. A higher metabolic rate helps burn fat.

During winter months, frozen fruits are a great alternative to fresh. Check your local club superstore for great buys on large bags of mixed “smoothie” fruit. This is the most economical way to pack off-season fruits into your protein shakes.

 One of the most popular nutritional trends right now are Green Smoothies. Add just a handful or two of spinach to your blender to get the amazing benefits of this superfood. If you’re not crazy about veggies, adding a few strawberries will not only mask the taste of the spinach, you’ll get even more fruits & veggies in your protein shake. 

There are so many health benefits to eating spinach, it’s almost impossible to know where to start! This leafy green is an excellent source of vitamin K, vitamin A, magnesium, folate, manganese, iron, calcium, vitamin C, vitamin B2, potassium, and vitamin B6. It’s a very good source of protein, phosphorus, vitamin E, zinc, dietary fiber, and copper. Plus, it’s a good source of selenium, niacin, and omega-3 fatty acids. So go for a green smoothie today…It’s an easy way to get to your recommended 5 a day of fruits and vegetables.

And speaking of Omega-3’s, if you’re not adding Flaxseed or Flax Oil to your shakes, stop everything right now and get to it! Flaxseed contains all sorts of heart healthy components, including

• Omega-3 essential fatty acids, “good” fats that have been shown to have heart-healthy effects.
• Lignans, which have antioxidant qualities. and
• Fiber. Flaxseed contains both the soluble and insoluble types

Last but not least – if you want a creamier shake and an extra protein boost, add non-fat greek or regular yogurt. Yogurt contains calcium, B Vitamins, potassium, and magnesium. But one of the benefits we’re hearing more and more about regarding yogurt is “probiotics.” Probiotics are “friendly bacteria” that aid digestion.

Check out Designer Whey on Facebook for new shakes recipes every week. Designer Whey….helping you Get Healthy, Get Strong and Get Results.

Posted in DESIGNER WHEY Healthy Minute | 1 Comment

I recently received some devastating news, and like most other humans, I handled it by retreating, pouting, and drinking enough red wine to cater an Irish wedding. I’m not saying I’m the first person to suffer a broken heart, but the person who coined the phrase must have had one. It really gives you physical pain in your chest.

Shortly thereafter, I was reminded of a statement an old football coach made to me that has stuck with me since. He said, “Life is a series of disappointments, and how we handle them determines our value as people.” Then he cussed me out for the mistake I made. But he was right then and it applies now. We had a choice to make. Keep pouting or do something about the things we can control. And fortunately for most people, our physical and mental wellness is something that is in our control.

I talked to my trainer and told her it was time to get in shape, really in shape mentally and physically. When she took a look at what I was doing she suggested a major lifestyle change. As we get older our metabolisms slow down, and a way to jump start it happens early in the morning. She suggested, or really insisted, that I do thirty minutes of cardio BEFORE breakfast. That requires an earlier wake up, and a bit of discipline for a “night owl”.

The biggest obstacle was a lack of energy early in the morning. But Designer Whey products have helped cure the problem. A scoop of protein in a shake at bedtime has given me the necessary energy. And after just two weeks of this lifestyle change, I am five pounds down. We have to make sure we look forward to each new day, and if you face the sun, the shadows will always be behind you.

Posted in John Roberts | COMMENT ON THIS BLOG

As many of you know I have been on tour with Famous Footwear this summer criss-crossing the country.  It has been so much fun.  One of the things I didn’t realize is that being on the road is completely different then traveling a lot.  Yes I travel ALL the time but usually I am home in between, so most of my trips are between 24 to 48 hours.  Because of such short trips and so many different airports and hotels I often feel like George Clooney in Up In The Air.  I am a pro at what to pack and how to pack it so that I get through the security in the shortest amount of time and out of the airport as soon as I land, so as you can imagine I only check a bag under dire circumstances, which hardly ever happens.  Until my Mind, Body, Sole tour, that is.  You see although the tour was only 20 cities, I would spend 2 days in each city doing all different things like Twitter workouts, hospital visits, TV appearances, radio, and store events and then of course I had travel days to get back and fourth from one place to another.  I also had all the other stuff I do already scheduled so Famous Footwear planned around my existing schedule like the Healthy Woman speaking events I do, I went to the GNC show with Designer Whey, where I met Erin Stern. I was so excited to meet her and she was so excited to meet me.  I had so much fun and my Chocolate Mint Protein shake was a huge hit, I love when people love what I love   I also had different races and Health Expos and such so I literally had to change my whole routine.  I could just pack a carry-on when I wasn’t going to be home for anywhere from 4-6 weeks at a time and most importantly my traveling food routine wasn’t going to work!  Usually I would pack enough food for my entire trip just in case my options on the road weren’t the best, I swear the TSA thinks I am completely nuts with my food bag.  On any given trip it would not be unusual for me to have a bag filled with chicken breast, hard boiled eggs, fruit, almonds and of course my 2Go Protein packs.  These days my one and only staple has been the 2Go Protein which has been a God-send for me and the new Protein bars are an answer to my prayers. Look for them on the shelves SOON.

One of my favorite accidental discoveries this summer has been my Lemonade popsicles.  You guys have to remember I am from Arizona, so as you can only imagine I love me some popsicles!  I had mixed up a new Lemonade 2Go pack in my bottle water and stuck the unfinished bottle into a hotel fridge which must have been set wrong because when I went to grab it, it was slushy, which was the bomb!  Since that time I have taken all the flavors and made little popsicles and they are fabulous!! I either make it in little Dixie cups or even a ice cube tray sometimes.  You should try it – especially if you have kids.

So I was thinking…and you guys need to let me know… maybe we should do a poll or something to get together for a race of some sort.  I’m up for almost anything from a triathlon, cycling, or running.  My idea is that we all pick a race somewhere in the States and train together through the blog here and have a huge presence at one of the races, what do you think?  Send in your ideas and let’s figure something out.

Posted in Ali Vincent | 1 Comment

Well, I wanted to get to everyone today and just touch on a few subjects. First, I came back from my 10-day long vacation and found that I had lost 2 pounds! That’s pretty good considering I didn’t do a lot of working out over those 10 days, other than some taking some walks and moving a lot of furniture. It just goes to show that so long as you stay dedicated to your diet, and do just a little bit of exercise, you can still lose weight. Now, to be fair, I would have loved to lose more than 2 pounds over those 10 days, but without access to a decent gym (yes, I’m a little spoiled!) it was difficult for me to get a proper workout. And, I didn’t take my running shoes, since I already had a full suitcase, so that didn’t help me either. But the important thing is that I stayed focused on my goals and I was able to shed a couple of pounds, which kept me going in the right direction. So for all of you that are planning late-summer vacations, feel free to keep up that diet and do a little exercise, and your summer strives towards skinniness won’t be shot down the drain.

Next, a matter of relaxing by the TV. I do it A LOT! To be completely honest, I probably watch way to much TV to be healthy, but I really enjoying keeping up with all of my favorite TV shows, even if they are re-runs during the summer. But that doesn’t mean I can’t get a good workout in. My best friend Jessi is always telling me to add a workout to my couch potato time, and I’ve finally taken her advice. I do 20 push-ups during the commercial break, which takes me 20-30 seconds. It may not sound like a lot, but with the average 30-minute TV show having 3 commercial breaks, 1 every 7-8 minutes or so, watching TV for a couple of hours will also bring in well over 100 push-ups in a night, with plenty of rest in between. The first couple of sets go by pretty easy, but once I’m at that 4th or 5th set, they get a lot harder, and that’s when you’re getting your benefits. All put together, those push-ups will work the majority of your upper-body muscles, burning calories while sitting on your bum, and if you’re watching TV at night like me, it’ll burn calories while you sleep too, using calories to rebuild the muscle tissue. How about that, losing weight while you sleep! Nobel Prize, please!

Another thing to think about is that diet. I struggle probably more than anyone with overeating, because I’ve been doing it for years. I can out-eat almost anyone (except Joey Chestnut, the world-record setting Nathan’s Hot Dog eating champion), and I’ve been known to put down an entire large meat-lovers pizza by myself, in one sitting. Now, it doesn’t take an expert to tell me that that is neither healthy nor good for my weight loss plan. However, I’ve done it, and there’s nothing that can be done about it now. But that doesn’t mean I should keep doing it! That goes with everything bad for you, like eating a bucket of ice cream or tons of cookies. That little bit of cheating on your diet will take you several steps backwards in your weight loss goals, and you’ll only feel guilt and shame afterwords. Instead, you have to find something to snack on in between meals, and your meals need to be sensibly sized and portioned in order to keep up your weight loss. In the long run you’ll be a lot happier that you had a turkey sandwich instead of a whole pizza.

Finally, just to put everyone in a positive mood and the right frame of mind, as of today I am down 30 pounds from when I started my diet and exercise plan! I’ve had my share of downfalls, pitfalls and stumbling blocks, as well as a few “I quits” in there, but overall I’ve kept at it and have continued to lose weight in the long run, and that’s the important part. I am much, much lighter than I was in January. I may not be where I wanted to be as part of my original plan, but I’m still headed in the right direction, and that’s what really matters! So, even if you didn’t lose your 20 pounds in 21 days (which was my goal over my summer break from school, which I didn’t meet), having lost weight over that time period is still a success, so take pride in that and keep going. Eventually, you’ll reach that goal, and when you do, you’ll be more proud of yourself then you thought possible. Keep it up everyone!

Posted in Nathanael Mulder | COMMENT ON THIS BLOG

For most of us, including myself, the 4th of July is a time for vacation and relaxation, a time for cold beers and grilling out.  And that’s all fine and dandy.  But what about that strict diet that you’ve been on for some time now?  Like for me, I don’t drink alcohol any more.  Now, I fully enjoy a burger or two (so long as they take longer than 30 seconds to make), but overeating during the holiday relaxation period is really easy.  Couple that with the easy excuse of “I’m on vacation” to not work out also, and you’re whole weight loss routine is completely out the window, and you’ll likely find startling results when you step on the scale the next time.  All that beer and all those burgers, brats and buns will do a number on your bum, especially if you’re not running a couple miles or swimming a few laps before your days of sun and indulgence.  So here’s my “intra-mural” advice for you: don’t over-do it! It’s perfectly fine to have a burger or two, but don’t pig out on 5 burgers and 30 hot dogs.  Also, when you’re packing all that wonderful beer into the cooler, perhaps grab a few of the beers designed to not have as many calories, like an MGD 64 or Michelob Ultra (just some suggestions, not a product endorsement).  At least that way you won’t be drinking 150-200 calories per beer, and the effects will be minimized.  Or, better yet, don’t drink at all! Volunteer to be the designated driver for everyone you can, and let them pack on the pounds while you drink Protein Waters, staying hydrated and nurished, all the while not working up a killer hangover.  Just a thought.
 
And, just because you’re on vacation, doesn’t mean you can’t work out! I may have left my running shoes at home while I came to visit the parents, but with all the work around the house I’ve been doing I definitely haven’t been skipping my workouts.  And even on top of that, with some of the time I’ve had off while they were at work, I walked around the neighborhood a few times, getting at least a little exercise.  It may not have been the 3 miles I ran the other day (yeah me!), but it was healthier than “I’m on vacation.” Which everyone knows is a cop-out, and that those calories still count.  So watch the food and the cookie intake, walk around the block a few times, and enjoy your 4th of July weekend.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!!!

Posted in Nathanael Mulder | COMMENT ON THIS BLOG