Rest

We need rest.

As a nation, Americans are over-worked and under rested. Just think about it- the term "workaholic" has almost become a badge of honor in our society. We are constantly caffeinated, and even when we aren't "working" we are constantly inundated with a stream of information from our emails, cell phones, Twitter feeds, Facebook pages, Sportscenter, News at 6, Texts, etc, etc, etc.

This has led us to become a nation of people that will die early while being fat, stressed to the max, and with no concept of real connections with people.

We have forgotten what it is like to sit back, relax, unplug, and enjoy the world around us.

This weekend, I decided to change that. I went down to the Lake of the Ozarks with three other guys that I barely know. On Friday, after we watched the end of the Cardinals game, I turned my cell phone off ((GASP!!!)). Not once until I got home Sunday evening did I check my email, twitter, or facebook.

You know what? It was awesome. We spent time as guys fishing, farting, playing cards, cussing, and talking about relationships, God, and how we were going to fix the problems of the world. By the time I got back on Sunday I realized that the information overload that I had unplugged from had very little relevance on my life during that day and a half. My company was still in business, my wife still loved me, and my house hadn't burned down. I was a great combination of rested and exhausted- it felt great.

I would encourage you to do the same. Sometime soon, truly unplug for a day or two, you'll thank me for it.

Gettin Physical

So, today I did something that I haven't done in probably a decade. I went to the doctor for a physical. Let me say from the beginning that I'm not proud of this. The "longest time between physicals" is not a game that you want to win. Especially if you are starting a new health regime, it's pretty critical that you get yourself checked out so you know what your baseline readings are for weight, cholesterol, blood pressure, etc.

You know what? It really wasn't that bad. I had lost 5 lbs since I was last at the doctor's office (in August for a small procedure that you definitely don't want details on), my blood pressure was perfect, and my ekg looked just dandy.

I did have a small problem with getting my blood drawn. Here's the deal- I hate needles. I would make the world's worst heroin addict. It all stems back to me getting freaked out by that scene in Star Wars where they are about to pump Princess Leia with truth serum from that floating basketball-robot-needle-thing. As an impressionable lad, that scene scared me into thinking all needles were bad. Just ask my folks about my various incidents at doctor's offices growing up. So, when the medical assistant stabbed me with the jagged metal, my face turned pale. She looked at me, and said "You can't faint, because I'm not going to catch you." Luckily I didn't pass out.

The doctor said that we are doing the right things- eating better, exercising more, losing weight.

We'll see how my blood work looks next week, but I'm not worried.

Until then, have a great weekend- I'm going fishing.
Kyle

Version 2, day three

This is kind of the first "real" day of Ninja Fingers. Monday I ate healthily, but had a big dinner at the Dorm Room. Yesterday I made my first sophomore mistake by forgetting to bring my lunch, resulting in me having to buy lunch (actually not too bad- a wrap from Chick-fil-A, no sauce, no fries, and an unsweetened Iced Tea.

Today, I woke up feeling hung over even though I had zero to drink yesterday. I have a headache, my ears are ringing, and I have cotton mouth. It's weird, I remember this happening a lot at the beginning last time.

That being said, if you are trying to start a new, healthy lifestyle- don't worry if you feel like crap the first couple of days. It's just your body adjusting. The best thing to do is just try to make one healthy decision each day.

Today- Protein shake for breakfast, sandwich and water for lunch, and some glazed pork chops from E-Mealz.com for dinner.

Tomorrow will likely be more expletive-laden, as I'm going to a doctor to get my first physical in about 10 years. Great.
Kyle

Ninjas are back!

Okay, so many of you have followed this blog since its inception a couple of years ago as the original Ninja Fingers health program. At the beginning of 2010, we decided to try to eat better, lose weight, and be generally healthier people. It worked really well for a while. Kyle dropped about 40 pounds, and Nicole lost around 20. Well, as often happens, life got in the way. No excuses, we just quit paying attention to our eating. As a result, we are both back to the weights that we originally started, and need to start over.

We will do the same plan as before- portion control our meals, eat less carbs and fat, drink less alcohol and soda, and exercise a lot more. Saturdays are our "Cheat" days where we can let loose a bit. It's really not rocket science, and there's no pill/dvd/website/monk chant that will do it for us.

If you are new to this thing, check out our trials from early last year- it's a fun ride.

This blog took a slight hiatus as Nicole documented her rolly derby experiences- those will still be posted on here, as that is how she will be exercising. As for Kyle- who knows. It will likely be a lot of boxing, lifting, and exercise biking in the "dojo".

Glad to have your support- don't buy us beers during the week.