Preparation: Day 1: Foods and Energy...

Alright, so I already know what is going to be the biggest factor in determining whether or not I can complete this 91 day period... sleep. Last night, I had this idea swimming in my head, so I kept going with it. I said to myself, "but I HAVE to finish it tonight, because I HAVE to get this on the internet and I HAVE to because I want..." Mainly, I pumped myself up for staying up late, and I fell asleep when I could barely breathe. This, in effect, caused me to fall asleep in the afternoon today. Which, in effect, caused me to not call Josh or Julie or especially Jenny, whose birthday was today. Being tired all the time is probably the worst form of depressionistic behavior, since it simply reinforces my cravings to lock myself alone in a room. Apologies to Josh, Julie, and especially Jenny (happy b-day!). What can I say, I crave the black emptiness of utter solitude.

Besides all that though, I have been researching. And today, I'd like focus on Energy and Healthy Food Choices in my diet...

Healthy Food Choices and Energy

Right now, I am drinking a Berry Lemonade flavored Jones Soda, which I purchased recently at WalMart. There is 190 calories in this 12 oz. aluminum can, and 99% of those calories are from pure cane sugar. This is approximately 20 more calories than Coca Cola, and approximately 190 more calories than water. Jones Soda would qualify as a bad choice for a consistently healthy lifestyle. And most of this shit is just as easy.

While I may not be able to simply read off the nutritional label on a piece of food all the time, it's a damn good thing to pay attention to some of the key elements on that beautiful monochrome sticker. I'm pretty good at reading. Some of the key things to look for are the overall calorie count at the top, the total grams of fat, the total grams of sugar (specifically in the form of just sugar), and maybe a light glance at the vitamin percentages at the bottom. However, one of the main things to disregard in the same respect, are the percentage daily values. Sure, it's some sort of basic guideline for the nutritional content based on a 2000 calorie daily diet, but these numbers are based off research that is almost 50 years out of date; back from sometime around when the Beatles wanted to hold your hand. Not especially reliable.

Much of the newer research into nutrition is leaking into popular culture, while the standard issue, government information continues to stagnate. It's good and tried and mostly true, but it's simplistic take on food groups allows for a normal person to justify much to much. "Pizza isn't THAT bad. It may have, in some cases, over 400 calories per slice, but it has white flour bread for grains, cheese for dairy, and tomato sauce for veggies." or... "I could eat fast food for lunch, and as long as I eat healthy for the rest of the day, it'll even out."



For the purposes of my diet, I will be following the updated Harvard Pyramid that is much more specific in their endorsement and shunning of foods. Now, a slice of white bread is akin to devil worship, whereas a hearty slice of whole-grain Roman Muesli bread (with cinnamon and one or two raisins) would be amazing. Whole grains will the base of every meal, which is good, since I love the shit out of sandwiches. All the nutritional advice I've seen, seems to point to the endosperm in whole grain foods, which release good carbohydrates which transfer into energy, which is something I will desperately need. The power of sperm. The pyramid also singles out foods that are good AND healthy, which is key for making correct decisions. Nutritionalists and Health instructors have been practicing and pushing for these changes for years. There is a precise difference between something that is good for you, and something that is good for you AND makes your kidneys shut down. There is good (vegetable) fat, and bad (red meat) fat.

My problem, however, has always been over-eating. I could take all this advice, but I'd still be bingeing on whole-grains, slamming vitamins, and growing fat with high-fiber, energy-rich, protein enhanced blubber. Especially if I know it's good for me. My equation has always been: Good for me + tastes good = eat it until you want to throw up. This is not a sound eating regimen.

Portion control is the name of the game. My target caloric intake during my diet, in an attempt to lose weight, will be somewhere just over 2000 calories. However, as an active white male between the ages of 19 and 30, I should potentially eat 3000 calories (plus, since I'm taller than average this number should be higher). So, I need to keep in mind serving sizes. Slice of bread = 1 Grain or 70 calories. 1/2 cup of Lima beans = 1 veggy. Only 3 oz. of Meat = 1 Meat. These are all pretty small for an American.

I'll be taking this very seriously. Per day, I will be consuming 6-7 oz. of poultry or fish. I will be eating two small handfuls of nuts. I will have a piece of fruit with breakfast and lunch, and occasionally as a snack. I will make sure to have a vegetable selection with every meal (with the exception of breakfast some days, since they taste disgusting in the morning). I will eat whole grain with each and every meal, especially loading up on breakfast. I will be eating a multi-vitamin and I will purchase a few good bottles of wine to include with dinner. And finally, when I go out to eat with friends, I will either order a salad or a dish with chicken/fish and rich with vegetables (possibly a wrap) and avoid the steak.

While I'll be desperately strict on myself, it's more about self-control and consistency then anything else. As long as I'm exercising and focusing on making awesome tasting meals, I'll have the energy to stay happy, which will in turn, make me less likely to want to binge on some craving. I blame Christmas for getting me hooked on chocolate again. Chocolate gives me phlegm, and makes my stomach rumble. I'd take chicken pot-pie over chocolate any day.

4 more days till teh hotness levels on TC start going up. Tomorrow, my Exercise Routine...


Foods and Energy Links:
FDA WebSite: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/list.html
HelpGuide: Healthy Weight Loss: http://www.helpguide.org/life/healthy_weight_loss.htm
Harvard School of Public Health: http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/index.html
American Dietary Guidelines: http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2005/document/
Weight Maintenance Calorie Calculator: http://www.caloriecontrol.org/calcalcs.html
Jones Soda: http://www.jonessoda.com/