Whoa…where did the energy come from?

I posted a blog early this morning about the “change in diet”.    As I was blogging I was enjoying the protein powder/coffee/org soymilk cup of drink I mentioned in my new diet blog earlier this morning.  I also had a banana with it.  I had a refill on the “same” drink before I left to go play Pickleball and drank it throughout 5 hours of pickleball.

I had so much energy and I played so well.

I wasn’t done on the exercising part yet.

I went to a local park here in Terre Haute called Deming Park.  There is this one really steep hill near the exit of the park which is right next to the entrance of the park.  You can’t miss this steep hill.

After 5 hours of pickleball…I grabbed my backpack looking for a spot I could plug my laptop in and relax and work on one of my articles.  I trotted directly up that steep hill starting my journey.

I did find a good spot about 1/2 mile down but I couldn’t get any good reception and laptop wasn’t being too friendly.  That didn’t work.

After finally getting a hold of my daughter we agreed to go bike riding. Whoa…did we do some bike riding!   We started with a two mile ride and made our way to Dairy Queen for a sundae and put a lid on it then headed to Starbucks which was about another 1/2 mile.   Of course, I got my protein/coffee/org milk.

My daughter finished off her ice cream and I had all my coffee left but we went ahead and started riding.  We headed for Heritage Trails out to Rose Hulman. We later came to an entrance into Hawthorn Park from Heritage Trails and there were some great hills.  The entrance into Hawthorn Park was a pretty steep hill.  I felt it in my legs right away.

Let me tell you!  My 10 year old daughter amazed me with her strength and enthusiasm to be tough and do some serious hill climbing.  I even recorded it.  We found a very steep hill in another local park called Hawthorn Park right next to Rose Hulman.  We went in a loop about a mile then got back onto Heritage Trail and went to end of trail and turned around and went back to hilly part of Hawthorne Park and kept challenging ourselves to go up on the hill again.

We climbed that crazy hill and looped a good 1 or so of a mile a total of 4 times.  I honestly didn’t know my daughter had it in her to take her single speed bicycle up these hilly parts.  I’m giving her the Little Armstrong award for climbing the hills on her single speed 12″ bike.  This first hill from the Heritage Trail into Hawthorne Park I felt was very deep.  I can’t lie…my legs are really feeling our ride as I write this.

I tried to keep it on the hardest gear the whole ride with my daughter but on that very first hill into Hawthorn Park…there was NO way I could do it.  i was literally stopping.  I wanted to make it on the hardest gear  but I had to drop gear about 3 notches.  Then…no problem.

I was suppose to go play Pickleball at 6pm in the evening but my daughter was spent.  She was ready to sit and relax.  I had more energy.  Let’s not forget 😉

Change In Diet

Well….I slacked in my fruit and veggie detox diet.

One night when I went to play pickleball I felt at my weakest in energy than I ever felt.  I know why it was.

#1 I hadn’t eaten enough fruits and veggies that day.  I would wait till my stomach and body told me I was NEEDING TO EAT.  Not a good part of the plan. I knew I wasn’t getting enough protein and that had a lot to do with it.  There were things I was missing from my detox diet from the beginning and I had to be careful for that.  I want to live a long time.

I talked with one of my collegiate racquetball players who works at Starbucks about their whey protein and adding it into my coffee and what the best way would be.

He looked at how much protein was in there and so we decided on two scoops of protein power, 3/4 of the cup to be filled with coffee (which is rich in antioxidents), organic soy milk for the 1/4 of cup.  I’m rocking and rolling now.

My daily starbucks expense went up a bit BUT I’ve added a way to get protein and not worry about the type of chicken I’m eating.  Which can be scary!

My daily expense for a single guy is higher than it should be.  That part I have to keep working on to get it down.  I don’t think I should be spending $450+ a month for myself to eat.  I should be able to get that down a lot lower.  I’m still learning so we will see.

I’m still eating a lot of fruit and veggies throughout the day but that includes Subway sandwiches and salads from different places I eat.  No burgers…not much pizza (maybe a time  month).  No fries.  No Soda.  I’m trying to stay away from all grease and saturated fat items.  I still mess up from time to time but I’m getting more consistent on staying aware.

I mainly drink coffee, water, and beer 😉 I’m over 21 and I won’t drive drunk nor supply to a minor.

I do drink some gatorade during and after playing racquetball as I sweat a lot when on the court and lose a lot of electrolytes.

Organic Milk and healthy cereal and peanut butter and jelly on healthy bread are a few of my regular favorites.   By healthy I mean as healthy as cereal and bread can be without being the most expensive.  I shop at Krogers so I’m always looking for their organic stuff to be on sale.  Which is regularly.

I’m still working on my diet.  I’m trying to keep it as inexpensive as possible. I’m always on the go so I don’t have time to learn how to cook.

I’m on the go all day long and I need a lot of energy and I have to stay aware as the day fly’s bye.  A good heatlthy diet with a good exercise routine will help me live a longer healthier life.  I honestly do believe that.

No matter how busy I am, exercise is included.  I’ll always find a way to play racquetball, pickleball, run, or do something that gets my heart racing for a good 30 minutes or more a day.

Day Two of Detox Diet

I made it through the second day of my Detox diet of fruits and veggies.

I found day 2 to be harder than day 1.  I was craving pizza all day.

To be honest, I even found myself thinking…”pizza today start diet tomorrow”.  I was strong and made it through it.

I think my biggest problem was I went too long without eating.  It seems like I have to keep small portions continually going into my system to stay away from the hunger feelings.  When I have the hungry feelings that is when even McDonalds looks and sounds good.

I did add some citrus to my diet as I did drink some orange juice.  I ate mostly bananas, apples, salad, and plenty of water.  A lot of bathroom breaks at Starbucks.

In day 3 I will be sure to keep small portions coming into my system in hopes of staying away from those hungry feelings.

My biggest downfall is the fact I’m terrible in the kitchen.  For me, I just have to be able to grab it, rinse it off and stuff it in my mouth.  I like dressing with my salad but now…i’m not even going to bother.  Hand full, rinse, eat.  That is my routine.

With my diet, I am working out doing 6 minute abs along with push ups and I’m getting ready to start my 90 day P90X program.

One huge benefit I am finding after two days is the money I am saving.

As a single guy, I am not buying a bunch of food for two.  I am not even averaging $10 a day on food.  That is good for me who can easily blow through over $20 a day to eat.

Day 2 is complete and 19 days to go.

Coach Manny

First Day of New Detox Diet

Yesterday was the first day of my new diet.

My focus is not to lose weight as I really don’t need to lose any weight.  I wouldn’t mind losing a little body fat.  I’m 34, VERY active as I’m a racquetball coach and player and also a Health Coach.

My diet will consist of all fruits, veggies, a little fish, water, protein powder mixed in with some water or coffee.    Yes…coffee…is not an option. Starbucks makes a lot of money off of me.   I’m not sold on coffee being bad for you.  In the research I have done I have learned that coffee seems to help men fight prostate cancer and  a new study shows that there are more antioxidents in coffee than any other beverage.

My goal is 21 days straight.  Why 21 days?  I have learned over time that to make or break a habit it can take 21 days.   That is why 21 days is my magic number.  All you cigarette smokers…try quitting for 21 days and see what happens.

At first, when I felt a little hunger it made me want “solid food”.  I started my day off with two apples and water right off the back.  That easily held me over till after Church.  I went straight to Kroger’s after church to get some more fruit.  I bought some strawberries, apples, and bananas.  Anyone notice what I’m missing… CITRUS.  Today I will be getting some clementines or oranges.  I like clementine better because it is easy to peel.

As the day went on everytime I felt I was getting a tad hungry I stuffed strawberries in my mouth or a banana.  It really did work.

While at my daughters house her Mother offered me some chicken and rice.  Yes for a second that sounded so good and I did forget I was on my new diet.  I said yes…then quickly said “no”.  Very proud of myself on that.

I just continued to eat strawberries, bananas, and water the rest of the night.

Too be honest..it really wasn’t difficult.

Sure, everything under the sun sounded really good but the fact that I’m cleaning my body of all the toxins and chemicals is something to look forward.

That is day 1 of my new diet.

20 days to go,

Manny