April - Food Preparation

I know how important food preparation is. Especially as a shift worker. I work 12 hour shifts and sadly, my workplace does not provide much in the way of healthy foods. Most foods are soaked in oil, not fresh and certainly not too appetising at times. Unfortunately, this means I need to be well prepared and take the majority of my meals with me to work.

This is not a cheap option, and I am still looking for ways to be healthy, prepared and able to do this on a budget.

Basically I need to have a portion of protein for every meal and a portion of green vegies or salad to go with it. As this sounds boring for every meal over 12 -14 hours, I also need to find other options. I plan to include a Protein Shake, some nuts (usually almonds) as a snack (especially when the sweets and junk food appear) perhaps some Cottage Cheese and Fruit.

As you can imagine, preparation takes time, I also need to make time to have this all ready to go each morning/evening before work. This sounds like a big commitment (and it is) but I am trying to make my health a priority.

I am also attempting to include some organic products into my diet as well. Organic is, of course healthier for us but also tastes so much better too!

If you have any hints or ideas to help me out, feel free to comment!

:)

March Challenge - Adding Protein

I understand the fundamentals of adding protein to my diet, so my challenge for March is to include Protein with EVERY meal.

As I am a shift worker and I am now in the habit of eating 5 - 6 meals per day, so having Protein with each meal, this is most definitely, a challenge.

In the past I would supplement my diet with Protein Bars and Protein Shakes, and I know that it is always better to include REAL lean animal protein, whether it be:

- Chicken Breast
- Eggs/Egg Whites
- Cottage Cheese
- White Fish
- Salmon
- Lean Red Meat (not my choice, I am not a fan of red meat..... I was vegan for a while and I'm still trying to get my head around eating read meat! Plus I simply don't like the taste of it or the way it settles in my belly)

I also need to include some good fats:
- Almonds (a great snack when your work-mates are all eating cake, biscuits etc)
- Nut Spread -  just a teaspoon is great as it contains less Saturated Fats, (loads) less nasty Sugars and less Sodium than regular Peanut Butter.

We've all been conditioned to like more salts and sugars in our diets so when we actually try foods that contain less of each, they may not taste quite like we would expect. I say, give them a chance; if you know that are better for your health and well-being then you will also realise that they actually taste the way they are supposed to (like nuts taste like nuts, not salt; or like fruit tastes like fresh fruit not sugar!)

My biggest challenge so far is my breakfasts, I am attempting to have only Protein and Nuts for breakfast! This is tough as Breakfast is a real chore for me. I wake up at 5 am. I have ZERO appetite and to force myself to eat chicken and almonds? This is the hardest thing ever! But I am persevering. I must say though, I am not craving crap at 8 am like usual.

This has been an ongoing challenge for me for a long time, and I am trying to improve..... If anyone has any suggestions I would love to hear from you.

Necessary Lifestyle Changes

As you would know through my previous post I had myself assessed using BioSignature Modulation. Basically this involves taking Body Fat Measurements at 12 different sites of the body. Depending on the site, those with the highest readings are associated with certain Hormones.


BioSignature Modulation is a system based on scientific evidence that where people store their body fat is an indication of their hormonal profile. Basically, hormonal imbalances can cause fat to accumulate in certain areas of the body.


Therefor your body fat levels and corresponding hormonal imbalances can be effectively managed through a combination of diet, exercise, a targeted supplementation program, and lifestyle modifications .


My results showed I am carrying excessive amounts of Cortisol, Estrogen and Insulin.


Initially I took a Digestive Test to determine whether my digestion is working effectively. Basically what this means is that I could be eating all the right foods but if my digestion is not working correctly then my body is not absorbing the nutrients it requires. And guess what? My digestion sucks! I am not producing enough Hydrochloric Acid to metabolise my food.


I need to use only BPA free products (especially when storing foods in plastics) as they can leech nasty chemicals. Xenoestrogens are environmental Estrogens and they can end up entering your blood stream. Also, I MUST avoid using the microwave to reheat my food.


I am now drinking filtered water. I am also eating breakfast high in Protein eg chicken and nuts, aka The Cavewoman Diet!


Reducing Cortisol will be even harder. I need to stop stressing and get at least 7 hours uninterrupted sleep.


There will be some challenges involved in making these changes but I am determined to persevere.

BioSignature Modulation

I have recently discovered BioSignature Modulation and I have bitten the bullet (and saved up the necessary cash) and booked myself in for a consultation with Kat Eden.


BioSignature  was developed by world-renowned strength coach Charles Poliquin after noticing trends and correlations while working with athletes for nearly 30 years. BioSignature is a system based on scientific evidence that where people store their body fat is an indication of their hormonal profile.


I have been working shift work for 17 years now and even though I have kept moderately active the entire time (It has been a massive challenge working 12 hour shifts which includes night shifts). I have noticed gains in body fat in some areas and not others. Even when eating well and exercising I have a "jelly belly" that simply won't go away. According to BioSignature  this could be related to shift work, stress levels and bad sleeping habits. Sounds about right to me!


And of course those of you who REALLY know me, will know that I am the ultimate Stress Monkey! I don't sleep well, I haven't had a good nights sleep in about 20 years!


I have followed a sensible eating plan, no sugar, loads of fresh veggies, more protein etc... I've also followed intense and not so intense training regimes, I've seen personal trainers, (as I have said, I've been relatively active my entire life), I've seen dieticians, naturopaths and I've even done the 12 week Challenge. I lost about 8 kg but still had the belly fat. At the completion of the 12 Week Challenge I was physically and mentally exhausted, not to mention HUNGRY! But damn I LOOKED great! Looking into BioSignature  it says that Cortisol might be my problem.....


For example, the thickness of a person’s umbilical skin fold is a direct reflection of cortisol (the stress hormone) output. A midsection that is fat relative to the rest of the body (again, just think of those people you know with skinny arms and legs and pot bellies) is a sure fire indicator of stress. The bad news is that if stress is left unchecked your body shape will be the last thing on your mind – stress is a killer. The good news is that once a problem is identified, we can always do something about it. 


I am excited to find out my results, and a little apprehensive, what happens next? Do I give up my job? Heaven forbid! I love my job (most of the time) but I know it might probably kill me in the long run. I am all about work/life balance and I know that some changes will be necessary.


 :(

So after my first consultation, I discovered that I have elevated levels of Cortisol (surprise surprise) Estrogen and Insulin. Now that I have some results, I have a plan to improve those results. 

I will post the changes I need to make in my next Blog.

Cheers!

February - Cutting Out Sugar

My Challenge for the month of February is to reduce my Sugar intake. I know how Sugar can be bad for you health. And, it's time I took my health seriously!


Fact: Sugar tastes great and sweetened foods tend to make us overeat.


Fact: Simple Sugars can contribute to and aggravate numerous health problems; eg nervous disorders, diabetes, heart disease, gallstones, hypertension, and arthritis.


Fact: Sugar raises Insulin Levels. This inhibits the release of growth hormones, which in turn depresses the immune system. 


Fact: Sugar can contribute to weight gain and obesity. 


Fact: Sugar can contribute to hyperactivity, anxiety, depression, and the list goes on.


I have been concerned about the chance that I may end up with Type 2 Diabetes. My brother was diagnosed a few years ago. I eat well most of the time, but I find that shift work can really throw a spanner into any healthy eating plans I have. 


Thankfully I am not a massive sweets or dessert person. I do love chocolate so I will have to cut down or eliminate that :( Ignoring the sweets, lollies etc that others I work with constantly consume makes this a real challenge. I will say NO from now on!

January H2O - The Results Are In!

Well, it's finally the end of January and the end of January H2O. How did I go, you may ask?

Well, I passed with flying colours by not drinking Coffee for the entire month! As a result, I'm sleeping better and feel marginally less stressed.

I failed miserably in regards to Alcohol :( The first two weeks were good, but then the one day where we all agreed that an alcoholic drink was allowed, set me back for the rest of the month. A sneaky drink here, a sneaky drink there ........ Big Fat FAIL!

Today was my first Coffee in a month. I was SO looking forward to it this morning. That mouth watering Coffee aroma said "Good Morning" when my fella served up a wonderful cup of dark liquid to me. And you know what? I really didn't enjoy it as much as I thought! I was gob-smacked!

Don't get me wrong. I will still enjoy my Coffee but in much smaller amounts. No Coffee at work is now my rule.

Hmm, an Iced-Coffee right now would be lovely :)

My New Sandbag!

I had big plans to make my own Sandbag, but bit the bullet and bought one. I figured a bag manufactured especially for Weight Training would be a safer option.

My new Sandbag contains 2 x inner bags which can be filled with sand or whatever you want. Instead of sand (which can be very messy) I went to the local Supermarket and sussed out kitty litter, rice and bird seed. Kitty litter was the winner. I bought 2 x 5 kg bags for $4.99 each.

So I've divided the kitty litter into 1 kg bags, I used zip lock bags. I then taped these zip lock bags for added protection and inserted them into the inner bags. I can fit 3 kg into each bag, plus 2 x extra 1 kg bags, so 8 kg in total. I still have 2 x 1 kg bags I can add if need be.

I've been religiously following Zuzana's workouts on Bodyrock.tv for almost two years now and her workouts incorporating a Sandbag are damn brutal!

Sandbag exercises can include Clean and Press, Snatch, Push Press, Get Ups, Lunges, Deadlifts, Squats and Rows (And they are just some examples)

Today I performed 100 x Lunges with Kick on each leg with my Sandbag on my shoulder. Wow, my legs are going to KILL tomorrow!

I have to say that since I've started using my Sandbag, I've noticed a marked increase in my stamina, instead of doing the 8 -12 reps x 3 sets at the gym (Boring!!) I'm performing 50 - 100 reps and really sweating my arse off! I'm basically working out to failure and LOVING it! Yeah I hurt the next day, but it's a satisfying, good pain! I can see my Thighs and Hamstrings finally!

I haven't performed any upper body moves yet with my Sandbag but that is on my agenda.

:)

1.