Plant based

I feel like vegetarianism (in all it's different aspects) and veganism are things that are growing fairly rapidly. It's for sure one of many things that is really great about the whole Netflix documentary thing that has become so big. People are really starting to analyze the way they live their lives, and we are choosing to make better decisions for ourselves and our families, instead of just going along with society like a mindless robot....

I haven't eaten meat in about a month. I seemed to continually run across documentaries, health articles, or pod casts boasting the benefits of a plant based diet. I decided to give it a try, tip toeing at first before I went all the way in. Right now I'm a vegetarian, or specifically, something like a Lacto-vegetarian (eats dairy) and Ovo-vegetarian (eats eggs). Eventually I want to go strict vegan, but it's a process and learning how to pack my food for an entire day at work can be hard at times.

Since deciding to adopt this lifestyle, I have experienced a monumental shift in my way of life and how I view things. Strictly speaking about my physical body, I have lost fat and maintained my muscle. I used to have some issues with my stomach, specifically bouts of stomach pain and constipation (sorry if that's TMI). Those issues cleared up almost immediately. I have high energy levels, a good mood, and I notice no negative impact at this time. These are the small things that this lifestyle change did for me. Voluntarily choosing to change the way I live opened a door for me that I never knew was closed. I know this might sound kind of cheesy, but I started to really reflect on the way I lived. I have since adopted a form of minimalism, I strive to live a very intentional life and I am truthful and I attempt to leave a positive impact on those I come across.

Now, are all these lifestyle changes directly attributed to eating plants? No, of course not. It was the act of doing something intentionally that caused this damn to open up. So many of us are just going through our lives like our parents did.... this is how it's always been. Hold up. Stop thinking like that. We are human beings, capable of anything! The human spirit is a beautiful thing, but it has to be nurtured and allowed to blossom. Feed your spirit, and it will most certainly return the favor.

Anyways! Back on topic. When people ask me why I stopped eating meat, here are my reasons.

1. From the knowledge that I currently have, and am striving to attain more of, it seems to me that it can be a very healthy diet.
2. I am of the opinion that big agriculture is really bad for the environment. Environmental conservation is very important to me, so this is a way for me to help.
3. I am living a life of non-violence and compassion. If I can get all of my nutrition in a manner in which nothing has to die, why wouldn't I?

Those are my reasons. Additionally, food is still super delicious! Not too long ago I made some vegan burritos and they were amazing!

Whole grain brown rice
Pinto beans
Garlic, onion, tomatoes, and jalapeno roasted in olive oil
Fresh Avocado
Siracha! Everyone loves Siracha!

So, that's that. I'm not going to criticize anyone who eats meat or tell people how to live their life. You won't see me on the corner with a meat is murder sign. I'm just saying, think about it. Cows and piggies are alive! They don't have to die just so we can have a crappy burger :-(

Fitness

Fitness, just like diet, is a constant struggle. Even for elite athletes, it never ends. You are never finished. It's a lifestyle. Do I want to be fit or not? If the answer is yes, then it's time to get to work.

For anyone just starting out on their road to fitness, there are many ways to get started, and it all depends on what your goals are. The most important thing is to begin! You can't say tomorrow or next week, start right now. With that, you don't need to rush out and hire a personal trainer and buy a new gym membership. These are options for everyone but not requirements. I always tell people, and practice this myself, find hobbies that keep you active. Many of us don't necessarily want to grind away in the gym for hours and hours. We just want to maybe lose a couple pounds, tone up, or gain a little lean muscle. Most of this can be accomplished without ever going to the gym and with no difficult work out programs. Hiking, biking, walking with a friend or partner, swimming, sports.... there are so many things that you can do to increase your fitness level, and you can have a great time while doing it! Additionally there are tons of groups out there for these types of things so you might even meet some cool new people in the process!

I like to stay active as much as possible. For me it's all about having a routine. I wake up early almost every week day and hit the gym or get a run in. It's tough at first, but once I got used to it I couldn't live without it. It's my favorite time of the day. It's the one time of the day where nothing matters except myself, and we all need that. Then on the weekends or in some evenings I enjoy active hobbies like I mentioned above.

For me fitness isn't about being overly vain or impressing anyone. It's about quality of life and staying healthy. I have a pretty rugged career and I see what happens to folks who don't take care of their bodies. By their 40's they are broken down and wore out. I don't want this for myself. I want to run through the woods and climb trees and use my body the way it was meant to be used, as my vehicle through life. If you don't take care of your vehicle it will break down and leave you stranded. No one wants that.

All it takes is that first step. Or if you have already started, push yourself harder. The only one stopping you is YOU! Your not going to get the body you want by hoping for it. If you can't make it to the gym today that's okay. Take a few minutes after reading this knock out a couple crunches or push ups or whatever! That's what I did ;-)

Grab what is yours. It's waiting!

Diet

Diet..... this one is tough for a lot of people. Ask anyone who is really strong, really fit, etc. and they will usually tell you that working out is the easy part. Diet is a much more difficult process. Hours of meal prep every weekend, this or that is so bad for you, how many grams of protein do I need, how many calories should I be taking in..... Argh! So many things to think about and it gets so overwhelming!

I chose to simplify things for myself, and it's my recommendation to anyone else who wants to be more healthy. Additionally, this really goes for anything life, not just eating better. Start small. Take baby steps. Maybe at first you just take away something like drinking soda. A couple weeks later maybe you try and limit fast foods to only once or twice a week. Things like this are very beneficial and have a huge impact. As it stands right now, I try and keep my daily consumption of added sugar as low as possible, and I avoid processed foods as much as I can. These are the things I have done so far. In the future I may take a crack at going vegetarian/vegan and keep my diet super clean, but I'm not there yet. If I tried to go from how I was a few months ago to being a strict vegan overnight it would fail miserably I'm sure. These things are tough and need to be approached gently.

I will tell you that any change you make is a step in the right direction. Since I have limited my sugar and processed food intake, and just generally trying to make good diet decisions daily, I feel better already. I have more energy, I'm in a better mood, I'm more motivated to stay busy, I'm more motivated in the gym. I just generally feel good, and that in turn fuels a desire to push things even farther. Lately I've become so interested in the diet and the way our bodies intake food that I've even contemplated completely changing my degree path and focusing on health and nutrition. We shall see though, remember, one step at a time.

Back tracking real quick to the sugar thing. The American Heart Association recommends daily intake of sugar not exceed 37.5 grams for men and 25 grams for woman, sorry ladies.... One 12 oz can of Mountain Dew has 46 grams of sugar. 46 grams in one can! So if you drink one soda you are over your daily limit. How many people do you know that drink soda, sweet sea, sugar filled coffees, energy drinks, etc. all day long? A lot of people do. These drinks do nothing for you and in my opinion should be the first thing to go in any new health plan. If you need the caffeine boost now and then, black tea or black coffee is great! Yes it might not taste like dessert but your pallet quickly adapts to changes and before you know it black coffee/tea will taste A-OK! Maybe try purchasing a higher quality brew to help with the transition.

In closing, take baby steps with your health and fitness goals. Don't try and become super strict about it overnight. Ease into this new lifestyle a small piece at a time. And ditch the sugar filled, nutritionally empty junk!

An introduction

I have started a new blog. What for? Well, I suppose it's on online journal in a way. I don't really do New Years resolutions, I think they are a bit hokey. However, I suppose starting a new year can be beneficial for some because you can make a promise that this year will be better. So I guess I am doing a bit of that.

2016 was rough. It was the most challenging year of my entire life no doubt. I was deployed for the first couple months of it, went back and forth in my marriage, ultimately deciding to initiate a divorce, I've had some issues at work that almost became very damaging to my career, and much more, but this outlet isn't for bitching about my problems. On the contrary, it's about overcoming them and never giving up.

While I don't necessarily have a New Years resolution for 2017, I do however plan to rip this year apart, and I mean that in a good way. I will be very healthy, focusing on the best options for me when it comes to diet and exercise. I will be a good friend. I will be a good father. I will make good financial decisions. I will go on adventures. I will rarely say no to an opportunity, regardless of what it is. I will be helpful to my neighbors and community. I will volunteer. I will donate. I will live a meaningful life.

That sure sounds like a lot, but I think I can make it. I'm not promising to be a saint by any means. Everyone has their own moral compass and I have no illusions about becoming the next Dalai Lama. It's about balance. It's okay to be bad, as long as you are not bad all the time.

As I focus on living a meaningful life, I will be attempting to examine the hows, whats, and whys in this process, and documenting them here. I cannot promise to post all the time and I do not know how long I will keep up with this process, but I intend to share my findings, in the hopes that they might provide assistance to another. I plan for each post to examine one specific topic in my self reflections, enabling readers to hand pick from the subject in which they are interested.

So, join me if you will, and live better. First off understanding that this process has to be about yourself. You cannot be a better you for someone else. It doesn't work that way. First you must be a better you for yourself, and then you will inherently be a better you for others as well. Make sense? Being selfish is good at times, because when you are always giving, sometimes you can give too much. So sit back, stand up, or do whatever you must, but lets get started.