Here some images that will give you an idea of the sugar content of some popular foods and beverages that we come across in our daily lives.  There are more below.  Now you may be thinking that you can just get the Diet version of these things and cure your sugar addiction.  Some diet drinks are actually more addictive than the regular drinks.  What’s more, they are filled with chemicals that can slow your metabolism and actually cause you to gain weight.  That’s right, diet soda makes you gain weight.  Here’s some more information on how that happens: http://www.thefitclubnetwork.com/2009/11/how-diet-soda-makes-you-fat/.

So, now that we know that the sugar content of the foods we eat commonly is very high, let’s figure out why sugar is such a problem. Watch this video that explains how your body responds to sugar by creating insulin. That metabolic process causes your body to store fat.

So you can get an idea of what I’m showing here.  A 12 oz coke has 39 grams of sugar.  Mountain Dew has 46 grams in the same 12 oz can.  Thinking about a Sprite or 7 up instead?  Try again, they have 38 and 39 grams of sugar respectively.  The Red Bull below has 27 grams of sugar in it.  That should give you an idea of what these pictures represent and also how many grams of sugar you are looking at when you check the Nutrition Facts.

MonaVie is probably the most popular product incorporating Acai Berries.  Here’s a little comparison of how Shakeology stacks up to MonaVie.  The point of this post is not to discredit MonaVie in anyway.  I’m sure it is a fine product and anything that furthers the health and wellness of this Country is good by me.  I do think the comparision is important because you get a lot more ban for your buck with Shakeology.  Shakeology is more than a shot full of valuable anti-oxident vitamins.  It is a 140 calorie (with water) meal replacement shake that has an evenly balanced blend of carbs and protein plus essential amino acids, phytonutrients, probiotics and digestive enzymes.

We are currently running a promotion offering free samples of Shakeology.  Click here for more information on that promotion.

Now don’t cry for me Argentina.  I plan to continue to practice law, but I’ll do it on my terms.  I’m going to start my own firm and continue working with the clients that I enjoy working with and that make practicing law fun.  As a land use and real estate development lawyer the last few years have simply not been fun at all.  With a few exceptions, they have been a grind and that grind has taken a physical and emotional toll on me that is hard to adequately explain.  Frankly, the prospect of being my own boss and taking more than two weeks of vacation every year is very exciting.  I was hopeful that I could remain with my firm and simply reduce my hours and pay to be able to obtain the freedom that I wanted, but we were not able to find a solution that worked for both of us.  I leave with nothing but positive thoughts about my experience there and the utmost respect for the men and women that I worked with.  I appreciate them giving me until the end of April to form my own firm and get all the administrative pieces in place.  We just grew apart.

I realize that Beachbody may seem like an odd choice to some people that may have known me for years and know the passion I have for practicing law and the needs of my clients.  Why would I choose this vehicle as a way to protect my family and ensure that our standard of life remained consistent?

First and foremost, the economics behind Beachbody and the Coaching program pencil out.  If anyone wants to talk about how I did my first year as a Beachbody Coach, I’m happy to have that discussion.  If you want to talk about how Monica did in her third year, you better go ahead and be sure you are seated and have taken any heart medications that you may be on currently (BTW, we’ll be discussing how to get you off those meds, so be ready for that too).  In three years with Beachbody she cleared 14 years of her teaching salary.  In her third year she doubled what I made my third year of practicing law.  Together in 2009 we nearly equaled what I made in my 9th, and FINAL year of working in law firms for other people.  So don’t cry for me, the lights are going to stay on and my family will be just fine.

Second, I’ve become a bit of a fitness junkie.  Ok, I’ll admit it.  I am a fitness and nutrition junkie.  Some people have politics, some have religion, some have hobbies, I have fitness.  The opportunity to not just be involved in the fitness industry, but actually make a living in that industry is pretty appealing to a person like me. Every day people that want to get healthy and fit contact me and they turn to Monica and I for help.  I can’t even explain how empowering it is to help someone absolutely take control of their lives through fitness.  That may sound like an overstatement, but I know so many people that felt their lives were completely out of control and found that recapturing that control was simply a matter of recapturing their health.  Nothing compares to empowering people with the knowledge of how to do that and then watching them pay that forward to others.

Third, I wanted to have more time with my wife and kids.  I’m the luckiest guy that I know.  I have an amazing wife and two healthy, vibrant and funny (oh are they funny) kids.  I wanted to soak up these relationships in a way that I just couldn’t without having complete independence.  This morning we ate breakfast together.  I’ve taken them to school the last two days. Yesterday Monica and I went for a 15 mile bike ride (her first road ride).  I started practicing law the year my daughter was born and the rat race was on.  I can’t get that time back.  What I can do is make sure that I don’t surrender any more.  Now I have that opportunity.  We’ll be taking a road trip up the Pacific coast this summer.  In addition, my 92 year old Grandfather, my brothers and I will have plenty of time to hit the Teton River in Idaho, the place where he taught me to fly fish and one that is near and dear to my heart.

Finally, I’m deeply concerned about the direction our country is going in.  If you read this blog you’ve seen me talk about the Obesity Epidemic and pose the question “Why are We Killing Our Children?” in response to Jamie Oliver’s talk.  I mean all of this and if you want to find something I’m passionate about, this is it.  The people in the US have been lied to by food companies that have one single desire, and that is making more money by getting you to eat sugar and chemicals that are designed to get you addicted to their product.  Our schools have done a great job of making sure that our kids get hooked on sugar nice and early to keep that train rolling.  Did you know that Type 2 Diabetes used to be called “Adult Onset Diabetes” until thousands and thousands of kids started developing the syndrome?  I’ll hold off on the rant for another day here, but we are in trouble and Beachbody provides me with the perfect vehicle to be a part of the change that needs to happen here in the US.

So, there you have it.  A new chapter of my life is beginning and I’m excited about it.  The best news, and what I hope you take from this post, is that we saw this coming well in advance and took the necessary steps to make sure that Plan B didn’t involve bankruptcy or foreclosure.  Last year was hectic as I had to juggle two jobs, both of which were demanding.  Today, I know that it was one of the best decisions I made and all the effort was worthwhile.  Even though I am the luckiest guy I know, you can go ahead and wish me luck anyway.

I think I’ll go swim a few thousand meters and then sit in the sun for a while today. Yeah, that sounds like a good way to spend a Friday.

Dave

Go to http://www.localharvest.org/ for more information on CSA programs in your area.

Stay healthy everyone!

Dave

•    Protein and Essential Amino Acids to help build long, lean muscles and reduce food cravings
•    Prebiotics and Digestive Enzymes, which aid in improving digestion, regularity, and nutrient absorption
•    Antioxidants and Phytonutrients to help counteract free radical damage that can lead to degenerative diseases
•    Vitamins and Minerals your body needs to function for optimal health

But really, what’s in Shakeology?  The purpose of this series is to break down the ingredients in Shakeology and talk about the role each one plays in your nutrition.

Today, we start with the macronutrient protein.  Shakeology has protein in it. I know this is major news to you.  Greenberry contains 15g of protein and Chocolate contains 17g.  The form of protein is what I’d like to discuss.  Shakeology contains whey isolate.

Whey is a dairy based form of protein.  It comes from cheese production.  For many years it was considered a waste product and discarded, but we’ve now come to use it as one of the most common forms of protein powder.

There are really three kinds of whey protein powders: (1) concentrate; (2) isolate; and (3) hydrolysate.  Whey concentrate is the most commonly used form of whey because it is less expensive to produce than the other forms.  Concentrate is good because it is less processed, but it contains less protein.  Concentrate contains some fat and lactose, so people with dairy allergies probably want to steer clear of whey concentrate.  Whey isolate, the form used in Shakeology, contains much less lactose due to the processing it undergoes.  Isolate is also 90 to 94% pure protein, giving it additional benefits when compared to concentrate.  The final form of whey protein is hydrolysate.  This is a predigested form of whey that is relatively free of potential allergens.  It is also extremely expensive.  Given the minor benefits of hydrolysate, the cost rarely justifies its use.

So there you have it, the skinny on Shakeology and whey isolate.  As you can see, Beachbody could have cut corners and used concentrate, but instead chose to use whey isolate as its form of protein.  If you would like more information on Shakeology including a free sample contact me at dave@thefitclubnetwork.com

Sorry for the grim topic, but the simple fact is that this country is in an all out state of emergency. What?  Emergency?  Roughly 2/3rds of American’s are obese! Tell me that’s not reason to sound the alarm.  What’s worse, is that we are conditioning our children to fall victim to the same fate. As a result, the next generation may have a shorter lifespan than ours. Think about that for a moment.  It is simply an unacceptable situation.

I believe this is happening because people have been mislead.  I refuse to believe that anyone would knowingly pump harmful chemicals into the bodies of their children.  McDonald’s is on TV now telling you to go “eat like an Olympian”.  Do you honestly believe that any Olympian eats at McDonald’s?  These sports are so competitive that I would wager even the snowboarders eat well.

Don’t scrape the surface.  Dig down deep into nutrition and take the time to understand it.  There are so many excellent resources on the internet, like Marks Daily Apple that the excuses for understanding nutrition are really going by the wayside. I highly recommend Mark Sisson’s book The Primal Blueprint. Even if you don’t subscribe to his theories regarding “primal” eating, the book lays out the various metabolic principles in such a simple and easy to understand way that you can’t help but make changes in your nutrition.

The video below is from a speech given by Jamie Oliver.  If you don’t believe me, perhaps you’ll believe him.  Thanks to Richard and Heather Dubay for sending me this video.

Tony was recently interviewed by a program called “Posers”, which is a yoga based show.  Here’s the interview.

Why do I harp on yoga?  Simply because I want everyone to be fit and yoga is the cornerstone of any good fitness program.  Yes, I know there are plenty of programs that get great results and don’t include yoga.  Every one of them should be modified to add yoga.  If you are not doing yoga, then you are not doing P90X.  Take the time to struggle with yoga. That struggle leads to tremendous gains.

Keep bringing it people.

Dave

1. Whole Foods 

Avoid processed junk. Look past the nutrition facts and read the ingredients. The more ingredients, the lower the likelihood it is going in my mouth. A strawberry has ONE ingredient. So does an egg, or a chicken breast, or broccoli. Take a look at the ingredients in the foods you are eating. If you have trouble pronouncing them…keep moving.  Eat more stuff with less ingredients.

2. Supplements

I take Shakeology,  whey protein, and on occasion the recovery formula (sugar is an issue, but it has its place). The goal here is to give my body what it needs to run my basic bodily functions. At the minimum you need a good multi-vitamin. You have to focus first on making sure your body’s basic functions are addressed. It isn’t going to do you any good to take an expensive supplement if you can’t digest it and process the ingredients. Address your base nutrition first and foremost.

3. Lower carbohydrate intake

In particular SUGAR. The sugar has got to go. Watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNYlI…layer_embedded. Understanding the insulin response and limiting the presence of excess insulin in your body is essential to health and fitness. The more I read about this, the more I feel it is absolutely essential to understand and then control.

4. Limit foods that make your blood acidic

 Huh? Watch this: http://www.thefitclubnetwork.com/200…makes-you-fat/. Soda…get rid of it. It is poisoning your blood. Water…drink way more of it. It helps refresh your blood. 

5. Limit dairy

Tony Horton said this weekend, “cheese is a spice”. Use it that way. A little parmesan on your food is ok, but otherwise ditch the cheese. It is high in fats that don’t help your body. Many people feel that our bodies are not conditioned to process milk from other animals. We are the only species that drinks milk that doesn’t come exclusively from our own mothers. Try to cut milk out of your diet and see how it works. I feel a lot better. Some people don’t have any adverse reaction, but if you aren’t sure, cut it out for a month and see how you feel. That’s what I did and I only have it in my coffee now.

6. Healthy fats 

You’ve got to get fat in your diet. Huh? Yes, fat is good for you. Most of your fat intake should be in the form of unsaturated fats (mostly monounsaturated). There is an ongoing debate about saturated fats and whether or not they are beneficial. The generally accepted principal is that they are not. I am currently reading Mark Sisson’s The Primal Blueprint, in which he presents the theory that saturated fats are not to blame for our society’s weight problems. I have to say the case is compelling, but I am not settled yet. Regardless of that debate, you cannot go wrong with increasing your intake of fatty foods like avocados, nuts, and olive oil. Take the time to understand how fats work in your diet, because they are important.  Don’t be afraid to have an egg once in a while.

7. Quality over quantity

What you eat is far more important than how much you eat. Spend more time focusing on what type of foods you eat and less worrying about how many calories you are taking in on a daily basis. Knowing your caloric range is important, but don’t get too caught up in that analysis. If you are hungry and have something healthy to eat, then eat it. If you are not hungry, don’t feel like you have to force food down to get to some predetermined caloric count. Just go with that feels right and eat healthy. Once you condition your body to process healthy foods, your hunger will correspond to your body’s needs rather than corresponding to cravings for sugar or unhealthy fats.

Hope this helps. If you are reading this, and have questions, don’t hesitate to contact me at dave@thefitclubnetwork.com. I’m happy to help.

Dave

Here are a few of the top reasons:

1.  Protein boosts your metabolism. It takes twice as much energy to break down proteins as it does carbohydrates.  Your body can charge through carbs pretty easily, but it has to work to break down proteins.  This means after you eat a high-protein meal your body must burn calories to break it down.  Some studies have shown people with high-protein diets burned up to twice as many calories in the hours after their meals, than those on high-carb diets.

2.  Protein flips your “satiety” switch. Huh?  That’s a fancy way of saying it makes you feel full.  Would you keep eating if you felt full?  Probably not. High fructose corn syrup has the exact opposite effect, which is why they make a 64 oz big gulp. That’s between 800 and 1,000 calories, but you don’t feel full after you drink one.  “Satiety”…important stuff.  You shouldn’t want to eat a bag of chips and a hot dog after consuming 800 calories of anything.

3.  Protein is the building block of muscle.  This is oversimplified, but true.  Lean protein helps promote muscle growth.  Muscle burns fat.  Huh?  Adding muscle mass requires your body to expend energy to sustain that muscle.  Adding one pound of muscle requires your body to burn up to 50 calories a day to maintain it.  That’s one pound folks.  Try adding 10 and you can see why people that add about 10 pounds of muscle look the way they do.  Their bodies are simply working more efficiently.

So, that’s a nutshell of the benefits of protein.  There are more, but I want to keep this simple right now.  In addition, we reduce high fat foods and reduce carbs with Phase I of this plan.  Trans fats and most saturated fats tend to be stored in the fat cells very easily.  We are trying to change that.  Some fats are healthy for you, and we’ll talk more about that elsewhere.  Suffice it to say now that we want to reduce the traditional American diet types of fats that are getting put in our bodies.  the reasoning behind reducing starchy carbs is a little more complex.  When the body takes in a lot of starchy carbs it treats them like sugars.  The body responds by producing insulin to process those sugars in your blood.  That in turn causes the body to store more fat because it just does not have any where to store those carbs.  In addition, this insulin response actually tells your body to store fat as a precautionary measure. Keep that up long enough and you are headed for diabetes.  Here’s a video illustrating this principle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNYlIcXynwE&feature=player_embedded

When you eat a lean chicken breast, you make your body work for it and it pays you back by building muscle.  It also makes you feel full when you’ve consumed an appropriate amount of calories.  When you eat a burger meal the fat gets stored as excess fat, the fries and bun create an insulin response and the high fructose corn syrup in that yummy soda keeps you from feeling really hungry even though you’ve gobbled down a huge meal from a caloric perspective.  That’s just not a good mix.  The soda also increases the acidity of your blood, which you can read more about here: http://www.thefitclubnetwork.com/2009/11/how-diet-soda-makes-you-fat/

So, given the range of alternatives and the benefits of protein is it any surprise that the P90X Nutrition Plan focuses on it so much in the first Phase of the diet?  Hopefully, all that makes sense.  If not, shoot me an email at dave@thefitclubnetwork.com.

Dave