Starling Fitness: Daily writings on Fitness, Diet, and Health

It has been said that three meals a day isn’t right. I have heard that you need to eat five to six mini-meals a day to stay satisfied. I have lived on that principle for the last few years and snacking between meals keeps me from feeling hungry. That might not be the case for everyone, but it has helped me.

If you are a snacker, eDiets has an article for you:

• eDiets.com – Get The Skinny on Snacking!

They have a whole list of low calorie snacks to nosh on and some tips on living the snacking lifestyle.

For those of you of the Catholic Faith, Lent starts today. For some, Lent involves much stricter (and maybe even healthier) living. Lent is the practice of giving up a food or activity that represents a sin that is particularly difficult for you to conquer. There is also an element of fasting in the tradition of Lent, whether it be meat (for the entire forty days or just on Fridays) or, for the truly devote, fasting entirely for one day a week.

You don’t need to be Catholic to follow the practice of Lent. You don’t need the dark ash on your forehead today in order to devote yourself to healthier living. If you have fallen off the New Year’s Resolution wagon, here is another practice that urges you to live a better life. Choose something to give up (or add) in your life right now and hold to it for forty days. By then, you may have lost a taste for it.

Belief.net – Fasting Chic? by Gregg Easterbrook

Last week I wrote about Quackwatch’s wonderful diet scam tips. This article from Lawyers.com has much of the same information, but it adds one important idea that was not covered in the Quackwatch article.

Lawyers.com – Diet Scams by the Federal Trade Commission

“Lose All The Weight You Can For Just $99.”
Fact: There may be hidden costs. For example, some programs do not publicize the fact that you must buy prepackaged meals from them at costs that exceed program fees. Before you sign up for any weight loss program, ask for all the costs. Get them in writing.

They also give contact information for the FTC if you think you have been scammed. Just another reminder of the fact that there are dark elements out there willing to prey on you. If you are losing your motivation, look inside of yourself instead of for a miracle diet.

Yesterday, I talked about writing when you feel lack of motivation. Here is an example of what I was talking about taken from my personal journal completely uncut and uncensored. It usually takes this much writing to get to the bottom of my problem, sometimes more. When you try this, just keep writing until you feel better and motivated to stay the course.

(more…)

Every few months, I lose my motivation. It happens quite regularly. In fact, because I’m such a statistician, I have tracked my dips in motivation. They happen for two reasons: I’m too strict with my diet or something hurt my feelings.

(more…)

Here is an interesting story with ideas on how to burn a couple of extra calories. A study from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota found a correlation between thin people and the propensity to fidget.

• The Daily Telegraph – Fidgety way to stay slim

One thing that they didn’t mention is that with so much fidgeting, there is less time to snack, which might also account for the difference in weight. Next time you’re tempted to nosh, consciously stop yourself and think of an active thing that you could do.

Quackwatch has a wonderful article about sorts of claims to avoid when tempted by miracle diet products. Check out their site for the details:

• Quackwatch – Weighting the Evidence in Diet Ads

The Seven Fishy Diet Claims

• “Lose weight without diet or exercise!”
• “Lose weight no matter how much you eat of your favorite foods!”
• “Lose weight permanently! Never diet again!”
• “Block the absorption of fat, carbs, or calories!”
• “Lose 30 pounds in 30 days!”
• “Everybody will lose weight!”
• “Lose weight with our miracle diet patch or cream!”

If you see any of these claims on a product, pass on the purchase. The only think you’re likely to lose is your money.

I just found out that there are two PC versions of the arcade game, Pump It Up. They are available through Red Octane’s website, but I haven’t been able to find them anywhere else.

Anyone who has read this site knows that I’m obsessed with Dance Dance Revolution. This game variation from Andamiro Entertainment uses the corners and the middle as steps instead of the traditional up-down-left-right. I’ve seen this game at the arcades, but I’m so used to playing DDR that I was reluctant to plunk down a buck just to try it out. I was scared my feet wouldn’t work.

I’m going to get this for myself as a weight loss reward. It helps to set goals, meet them and have really cool things to reward myself with. I’m so excited!

Next week, I’m going to try an Xbox Live Workout on Monday morning. If you would like to participate, you need to email me your gamertag. This is an invitation only match, so I need your gamertag before 6pm Sunday night so I can add you to the list.

Workout Details:

• Dance Dance Revolution Ultramix 2
• Difficulty Level: Light
• Monday Morning, 02-07-05
• 7 am Eastern (4 am Pacific)
• Duration: Approximately 30 minutes

I will warm us up with three 2-footer songs, give us time to stretch, and we will cool down with three more 2-footer songs.

I’ve always been a proponent of stretching. Since I recovered from a foot injury mainly by stretching and keeping my walking level the same, I have stretched before and after every workout. Now, a study shows that I might be placing my faith in something that has little to do with injury prevention.

• American Council on Exercise – To Stretch or Not to Stretch?

According to a study in Australia, injury prevention has less to do with stretching than fitness level and age. All I know is that it feels really good to stretch out my muscles after a workout… almost like a reward for a job well done.